Inside a Bush Protest

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- The first real action of President Bush's visit here took place before Air Force One even landed last night. Thousands of mostly left-leaning demonstrators beating drums, shouting slogans and waving signs protested in the center of town. Some of the protesters threw objects at the helmeted riot police carrying transparent shields. Some of the police responded with tear gas and truncheons.

A few of us managed to escape the White House bubble long enough to get to the Avenue Paulista and found an emotional crowd that clearly doesn't care much for the president. Signs and stickers made him out to be another Adolf Hitler and carried the slogan, "Fora Bush." It being a four-letter word starting with "F," we thought we could figure out what it means. But actually it means "get out."

When we arrived, most of the violence seemed over, but it was an unsettled scene that appeared as if it could explode again at any moment. As we walked up, hundreds of protesters suddenly turned away from their speakers and began running right at us, as if fleeing from police. Smart people who have experienced riots say it is sometimes best to simply stand still and not try to run yourself because you may just get trampled or beaten. If you stand still, you become like a light pole and the surging crowd will swarm around you. Or so the theory goes.

Fortunately in this case, they swarmed around us. We never did figure out what they were running from -- possibly just a false alarm, a noise that spooked them, or maybe someone threw something at the police and everyone expected a tough response. Hard to say. The protest appeared mostly peaceful when we were there.

We ventured further into the crowd and talked with some people. They were an eclectic mix of folks mainly from the political left -- anti-war, anti-capitalism, anti-globalization activists, some waving hammer-and-sickle flags, others holding up signs about global warming, others from agrarian groups or the United Socialist Workers Party. What they had in common was a strong antipathy for Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

We didn't speak Portugeuse and few of them spoke English, but the message was clear enough. "No Bush, no war," Damao Vicente, 30, told us in the only English he knew.

As we talked with a clutch of university students, suddenly one of their friends came up and urgently told them they had to leave. They grabbed at their stray compatriots and ran away as fast as they could. Again, we weren't sure why. But we did then spot a line of helmeted police that hadn't been there a few minutes before.

The president rarely sees such scenes except perhaps on television. He arrived in Sao Paulo after dark a few hours later and headed by well-guarded motorcade to the Hilton Hotel, where he is staying. The only sign of protest he saw during the hour-long drive in from the airport was a single Brazilian standing along the road who raised his middle finger in a gesture that translates the world over.

Comments

how many of you parochial reporters speak any other language? I am amazed that third world street urchins speak more laguages than the White House Press corp. You guys are a joke.....please.

Posted by: speak only english | March 9, 2007 8:16 AM

The Americans must have shame of the president who has. He is very bad and dangerous.

Posted by: A Brazilian. | March 9, 2007 8:43 AM

We need all the Bio-fuel (alcohol for motor vehicles) we can get. Their's is better and cheaper.

Posted by: Fritz Vohr | March 9, 2007 8:47 AM

Quote from todays news, ... WASHINGTON -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged he was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, he acknowledged in an interview with a conservative Christian group. The honest answer is yes, Gingrich, a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate, said in an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson to be aired Friday, according to a transcript provided to The Associated Press. There are times that I have fallen short of my own standards. Theres certainly times when Ive fallen short of Gods standards. Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clintons infidelity. Isnt this awful, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING OUR SOLDIERS SHOULD STAY IN IRAQ EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO DIE....

I would like to see one single country who has not been severely disabled as a result of economic agreements with the US

Posted by: Thehypocrite | March 9, 2007 8:56 AM

I wish those Brazilians would pluck Bush out of his car and tear him limb from limb!

Posted by: candide | March 9, 2007 8:59 AM

Candide is a little too bloodthirsty, but some quick method of hogtying the present White House Mafia before they do even more harm must be found quickly.....
If nothing is done, they will have attacked Iran as well, before Bush is out of office.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2007 9:20 AM

I admire your guts! Keep on writing!

Posted by: Ken McGee | March 9, 2007 9:27 AM

I read some of the comments from people on the street that WP printed today. It sounds like all these people want is a hand out. "Send us more money" and "Do this for us". Screw those people.

Posted by: Dr. Amazing (really amazing) | March 9, 2007 9:29 AM

The antipathy towards Bush in Latin America is not exclusive to some left wing extremists. To the contrary. The only difference is that the majority of the electorate is not as prone to take to the streets and demonstrate. There has always existed an anti-yankee sentiment, except during the Kennedy administration's Alliance for Progress.
Today Bush is the most despised U.S. president in memory- for good reason. Bush and his entourage are well aware they are not welcome anywhere in Latin America whether they actually get to see and hear the protesters or not.

Posted by: ceci | March 9, 2007 9:30 AM

Bush is disliked in any hemisphere. It is so unAmerican to be so despised and truly jarring. Most American presidents in the past were admired abroad, even Nixon. Thankfully, Bush will be gone in less than 2 years.

Posted by: M.Stratas | March 9, 2007 9:33 AM

Candide is not "too bloodthirsty". I might be a liberal, but I do believe in Capital Punishment....could not imagine a better candidate right now either. You get the chair for one murder in some states...so why not the chair for the muder of thousands, the murder of a small Country, or the murder of an ideal that was once America?

My only issue with Candide's comment is the fact that it's not really the Brazilians responsibility, is it? When we as a Nation, begin to watch our own yard, rather than waiting for, and hoping for someone else to worry about it...is the day Bush, and his kind have a real problem.

Posted by: Charles G. | March 9, 2007 9:46 AM

Why Does George Bush think he can rule the whole world? Thankfully, in latin America there are some courageous men like Hugo Chaves and Evo Morale. Live long Iraq and every nation that believe in a real democracy.

I'd like to see one country that HAS been severely disabled as a result of economic agreements with the United States. So typical that people around the world blame the United States for their problems, and they won't take a good look at themselves in the mirror. Latin America is economically dysfunctional and it always has been. It has nothing to do with US economic policies, and everything to do with corruption and inept and schizophrenic leadership. Businesses have little confidence in Latin American economies, and as a result don't invest much there. What do you expect when you periodically nationalize industries. Why would anyone want to invest in South America when sudden change of government could evaporate your assets? Maybe people in South America don't want foreign investment and economic agreements with the US. That's fine. If you want an agricultural economy where coffee beans, orange juice, and cocaine are your major exports, ok. But don't blame us when your population lives in absolute squalor as a result.

Posted by: Cliff | March 9, 2007 10:07 AM

The world can!t wait any longer,we must rise up en masse and remove the bush administration very very soon... they will have the whole world on fire soon unless this happens.

Posted by: richard jenkins | March 9, 2007 10:08 AM

I'm from the DC area and live in Brazil, just outside of Sao Paulo city. I did not attend the protest rally yesterday (nor know that it was planned) but was not at all surprised to hear that it happened.

Unlike Peter Baker and everyone else in his entourage, I actually do speak Portuguese and regularly hear and experience first-hand Brazilian antipathy towards Bush and, by extension, all of America and its citizens.

When Brazilians hear my accent they often assume that I'm German, and I've found that it's best to let them believe me to be so instead of admitting (yes, "admitting") that I'm an American, as the likelihood of being treated favorably decreases immediately upon mention of my true citizenship. The "A-word" carries with it now a stigma that did not exist five years ago, evident in people's reactions and demeanor when it becomes known that I hail from the land of Bush.

It's not just here in Brazil either. My travels in Argentina and Uruguay have yielded similar reactions/receptions.

Posted by: American in Brazil | March 9, 2007 10:13 AM

Yes, Bush is strongly disliked in Latin America -- as in much of the rest of the world. Having now lived in South America for the past eight years, I think I know why. Bush is much too honest and straightforward to ever get elected in Brazil, France, Argentina or any other Latin country. When you expect (and respect) dishonesty and corruption from your own leaders, and practice it in your own life, you come to distrust and even hate the George Bushes of the world. Take Democratic support for Bill Clinton, for example ...

Posted by: A casual observer | March 9, 2007 10:18 AM

Anti-Americanism in South America is nothing new, and it is not specific to Bush. They protested Clinton too. There are a lot of folks who don't like Americans because we have money, and they are poor, and we are easy to blame. Another protest in Brazil of an American president. Yawn. Wake me up when there is some real news.

Answer to Cliff: Sure, Latin America governments have to accept their share of responsibility. If only the US had not supported every right-wing dictatorship in South America since WWII. How many countries have you invaded, innocent civilians killed to further your interests ?
A Canadian friend.

Posted by: moreno castagna | March 9, 2007 10:35 AM

American in Brazil - I experienced what you are talking about in Spain 2 years ago. The record really scratches if you admit that reside in Washington DC.

Posted by: Marie | March 9, 2007 10:36 AM

It seems the WH press ponies go on these junkets without any advance research or footwork. They then dominate the Q&A sessions with fluff. Will a single journalist come back with any insightful story on even one pertinent issue? How about the 54 cent per gallon tariff that the US imposes on cane ethanol? This is pork of the worst in-your-face sort, yet the issue will remain buried and obscure.

Posted by: J Koch | March 9, 2007 10:38 AM

I appreciate the insider view, but why couldn't the Washington Post manage to send a reporter with at least a minimal understanding of the languages of the countries included in shrubs visit?

Posted by: Brillz | March 9, 2007 10:47 AM

In response to: "The president rarely sees such scenes except perhaps on television."

Apparently, lately he gets to see such scenes everywhere he goes. I remember seeing the exact same scenes, just minus police brutality, when he came visiting Europe for a quick tour through England, France, Germany and a couple other countries a while ago.

I also remember that there was a rather unpleasant, but for the most part unnoticed incident with german students during his short stay in Germany. A group of pupils (perhaps between 10 and 14 years of age), was supposed to meet the president and allowed to ask him a series of questions. Just one of countless PR-events, to give journalists a chance to take nice pictures of the President with children at his side.

The only problem - the children themselves. Bush's staff had requested for the children's questions to be pre-selected by local authorities, in order to prevent them from asking "unwanted" questions. That particular detail leaked out to the press after the children refused to accept the terms.

I guess Bush's administration deserves respect for its determination, taking all this protest from around the globe into account. Or is that ignorance.

But the question remains, how a country, which received so much sympathy after the 911-attacks, managed to turn all that sympathy into plain antipathy. Then again, is it really a surprise to see swastikas embedded into Bush's name on a banner, when he likes to recite Josef Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda minister of the 3rd reich during World War II? More specifically, "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

Maybe it would have been better if that bombing run on Saddam's palace, during the first night of the War in Iraq, twenty minutes before the end of the Ultimatum, were successful. Not because it would have prevented Sattan from building more evil chemical weapons (where were they again?), but because that could have sent George Jr. into long-deserved retirement - it would actually have violated a nifty old law from the 1970's no one seems to have taken care of. A law, or "act", which basically states that no foreign statesman may be assassinated for whatever reason. Hmm, I wonder if the attempt itself was a violation? Anyhow.

Either way I've come to the conclusion that ruling the world isn't easy. At least for as long as this planet is full of people who don't want to be ruled. But I think it's safe to say that the issue is being looked into already.

Respectfully submitted,
-Logician
logician@silverpark.net

Posted by: Logician | March 9, 2007 10:48 AM

Love the comment blasting the Post reporter for not speaking Portuguese. President Bush visits a lot of countries in any given year -- should the press corps speak every language? Maybe they could perfect some regional dialects too when they're not rushing to make a daily deadline. Moron.

Posted by: John | March 9, 2007 10:51 AM

How arrogant to send reporters who are not fluent in the language. But then America has always assumed that the world learns American/English just for us.

Posted by: robjak1 | March 9, 2007 11:04 AM

Canadian Friend:

I don't recall the United States invading Brazil. Every now and again we do invade countries. For example when we joined Canadians storming the beaches of Normandy. Innocents died in Europe as well, but wasn't it worth the cost? Wasn't defeating the Soviets worth some of the costs of innocents dying?

Can you imagine what the world would be like today if the United States had been an isolationist for the past 60 years? Most of the world would either be saying Sieg Heil or calling everyone comrade. I regret loss of innocent life, and those who suffered by American Foreign policy decisions, but I don't regret the decisions themselves. And I don't agree that because we supported a right-wing dictator thirty years ago, you can blame us for all of your problems today.

Posted by: Cliff | March 9, 2007 11:04 AM

Once again, Mr Bush in his trip to Brazil is doing, and showing, the inflexible desire of the US economy to maintain its own level,meanning its level of living. If Bush is trying to help South America why he does not offer help without attachments

Posted by: Guido | March 9, 2007 11:11 AM

A noisy minority that only wants to arrive at the power and without knowing because it protests accurately. They criticize for not the adhesion to the protocol of Kyoto but they do not stimulate for the use of Ethanol. Noisy people only.

Posted by: Joel Ramos | March 9, 2007 11:26 AM

>There are a lot of folks who don't like Americans because we have money, and they are poor, and we are easy to blame.

- Yeah dumbass! Wait till the Saudis, chinese and japanese of this world start selling those US Junk bonds and you'll start crying.

Posted by: Connard | March 9, 2007 11:35 AM

"There are a lot of folks who don't like Americans because we have money, and they are poor", This Post by John is what breeds resentment how arrogant.

Notice Canada is just as Rich, Switzerland is Rich how any people hate them.

I dont hate Americans, but I understand why there's a lot of resentment.

Example in the case of China every other press release out of US is how to contain them.

by building missiles around a coalition of countries.

about how their military spending is higher than before when US military spending is the highest in the world.

When someone is saying they want to contain you, you won't be too happy right?

or what about Russians, they are at war with Chechens, when the US cease to consider Chechens separatist as Terrorist,

you dont think Russians are going to be thrilled by these announcements right?

Just saying there are reasons behind these resentments.

You need to be cognizant of other people's feelings too.
foreign governments are comprise of people too they have feelings as well.

A sugarcane-biofuel deal with the US will destroy Brazil's remaining rainforests, which will ultimately be worse for the environment than petrofuel. Brazil has led the world in the development and production of biofuel; perhaps they can lead again by growing hemp instead of sugarcane. Requires 1/4th the land, a fraction of the water, and no pesticides, because it is, literally, a weed. Plus, it contains absolutely massive quantities of methylcellulose - the stuff you need to create fuel. We're too prudish and stupid to do it here in the States, but if Brazil would lead the way again, we'd really be on to something.

P.S. Embarassed as I may be that we haven't chased him from the White House with pitchforks and (biofuel powered) torches, there's only 683 days, 1 hour, 55 minutes and 10 seconds left. Not that I'm counting.

Posted by: Cazart | March 9, 2007 11:49 AM

I learned from someone at the state dept that the advance team in Merida, Mexico for the Bush visit numbers 600!!! Great for the local hospitality industry, but if they send 600 to a peaceful place like Merida, imagine the number sent to Sao Paulo and Bogota.

Posted by: eo mcmars | March 9, 2007 11:52 AM

To A:

Yes, Canada is rich. But America is rich AND powerful. We have the highest GNP, we have the most billionaires, we have the most missiles, the most aircraft carriers and we park them pretty much where we damnwell please. Resentment is inevitable. Folks want what we have. It's the classic haves versus the have nots. People in Brazil want us to give them billions of dollars, and for us to get nothing in return. We're easy to blame. No one wants to think that they might be the source of their own problems. That their elected leaders have made terrible economic choices, and that is why their economy suffers.

Yes, we make foreign policy decisions that upset folks, just like any other country. Do you think Africans have a high opinion of the French and the British? Do Latvians have an affinity for the Russians? Do the Taiwanese love the mainland government? Do Koreans have a high opinion of the Japanese? Do the Peruvians like the Ecuadorians?

Posted by: John | March 9, 2007 11:57 AM

Absurd that Americans think that people in other countries want their money. These are the same hicks who have never left their village much less their country. I have lived and traveled the world for years and have yet to find many poeple that admire the US lifestyle with its materialism callousness and superficiality.What these people wnat is freedom from american interference,from american companies dominating their lives, from being treated like useful consumers animals at best. Bush simply symbolizes all these feelings. How can you expect that such a moron as W would even be listened to attentively by anyone?

Posted by: John | March 9, 2007 12:08 PM

Jose wrote "Why Does George Bush think he can rule the whole world? Thankfully, in latin America there are some courageous men like Hugo Chaves and Evo Morale. Live long Iraq and every nation that believe in a real democracy.

Jose I have a few very simple questions to pose to you. You are thankful for men like Hugo Chavez and then go on to say "live long Iraq and every nation that believe in real democracy"
How do you reconcile an apparent love of democracy with Hugo Chavez' power grab in Venezuela where he now has the power to make law by decree and is nationalizing without negotiation privately owned corporations and industries? How do you also reconcile it with statements like "live long Iraq" when the nation of Iraq was ruled by a brutal dictator who's own courts convicted of brutal crimes and executed him? The situation in Iraq is far from good right now but in order for democracy to succeed despots (hugo Chavez and Sadaam hussein) must be driven from power by a free and involved people. If you dont like President Bush I can understand that but holding up Hugo Chavez as an example of democracy is laughable. God Bless America. The last great hope for man on earth.

Posted by: JC in midwest | March 9, 2007 12:25 PM

I cant believe that a newspaper like the Washington Post would send a group of journalists into a foreign country to cover the current events and not have a single person who speaks the native language! Consequently this article is a joke!

Posted by: John | March 9, 2007 12:26 PM

although i find it interesting to read other's perspectives on this situation, it is interesting to see that most of the bloggers seem to have a difficulty separating their emotions from logic. your emotions (specifically your negative hostile comments towards the situation AND each other) show a lack of development in your ability to separate what is and what you feel. this unacceptance of each other's postions, not being able to agree to disagree, and disrespect will itself breed negative consequences.

PS: I could post this in english, I am brazilian but I dont wanna do it, go and learn portuguese (not spanish).

Posted by: Oscar | March 9, 2007 12:28 PM

1) It is clever of Chavez to choose the capital of Argentina as a location in which to blast Bush. Argentina has been in a deep depression since 2001 due to predatory actions by the US government and US banks. People who have seen children starving --in one of the most fertile places on Earth --and who have been thrown out of their homes by US banks are not likely to place any trust in Bush's assurances.

2) But Bush's supporters will pay for their vicious, selfish, inhumane attitude toward fellow human beings. Those here in the USA are about to suffer the same fate as the people of Argentina. US debt is now almost $4 TRILLION more than
what Bush promised us it would be just a few years ago.

Bush will wave gaily to millions of his bankrupt middle-class Republican supporters as he enters a wealthy retirement -- both with a Presidential pension and with sinecures from the rich men whose interests he advanced.

Meanwhile , middle class Republicans will find that withdrawals from their 401K savings will be heavily taxed to pay off the $Trillions in loans Bush has taked from the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. Those fools have lost their life savings and are not intelligent enough to realize it yet.

Posted by: Don Williams | March 9, 2007 12:30 PM

I have traveled the world for 30 years as part of my work, and I can assure everyone that resentment of the USA is not new, even among our closest allies. Resentment has become much more open since the fall of the Soviet Empire, because then America was viewed as protector from the evil Soviets. Bush is just an easy target at the moment, and it has become fashionable to hate America openly.

Now the main enemy of the West are the Islamofacists. Let the EU, Russians and Chinese deal with them. I, for one, don't want to spend another penny of my tax dollars defending those who hate my country. America can become self-sufficient, if we choose to be. We can trade with people who find it mutually beneficial to do so, but let them defend themselves. Leave Iraq and the Middle East to Islam and their tender mercies. Surely the Middle East will be a peaceful and prosperous place once the USA leaves them to their own devices.

Posted by: Jim | March 9, 2007 12:30 PM

I wish mr. Bush was BrazilÂ´s president. He has courage and is strong, not like my president, Mr. Lula. The brazilian company Petrobras controlled by the bolivians in Bolivia territory, and what did Lula does? Nothing! I am shamed about my president!!! George W. Bush, welcome to Brazil, we need people like you.

Posted by: Brazilian guy | March 9, 2007 12:30 PM

Well wait until the Dems hear the comments made by the protestors ("we want more money from the USA) and they'll be smuggling these entitlement minded aliens into the USA and hope they vote for Dems.

Posted by: monteman | March 9, 2007 12:41 PM

Let me tell something to Mr "Casual Observer". We (yes, IÂ´m Brazilian) donÂ´t respect dishonesty and corruption. You canÂ´t think all Brazilians are like our "leaders". Thinking this way, I would consider all Americans are war thirsty as Bush is.

Posted by: Brazilian Guy | March 9, 2007 12:42 PM

Brazilian guy...esta com saudades pela ditadura?

Posted by: americana | March 9, 2007 12:46 PM

you all are still doing it- play friendly.

Posted by: B | March 9, 2007 12:48 PM

i would like to answer to john.
john you have nothing more than a whole bunch of debts, the us government has all, you are just a poor poor devil, that likes to feel big, hahahaha poor loser

Posted by: mike | March 9, 2007 12:52 PM

I find it hilarious to when people refer to the USA as a "democracy". It is not -- rather, it is a deeply corrupt oligarchy which screws its own citizens just as badly as it screws the other people of the world.

A deeply corrupt oligarchy whose press --like the Wash Post -- prefers to lie to and deceive the voters rather than to tell them the truth.

Posted by: Don Williams | March 9, 2007 12:54 PM

moreno castagna:

"If only the US had not supported every right-wing dictatorship in South America since WWII."

If only the Soviet Union hadn't supported left wing Sandinista revolutionaries "read insurgents" in central and South America in attempts to leverage a fabricated north / south perspective into a Soviet Initiated east west security competition. Next time you spew revisionist historical half truths better hope a neo con isn't around to point out the logical inconsistencies in your advocacy bloging. Don't bother replying to me I wont be coming back here to engage in yet another left wing debate ad nausea circle jerk and I am sure all the lefties will spew jingoistic nonsense indicative of their swimming pool socialism no matter I leave you to wallow in your own arrogance. Toodle oooo.

P.S. I wonder if any of the lefties in this special ed class has any formal academic training in geo politics - strategy, international relations or foreign policy. From the majority of the sophomoric post on this thread my observations says no.

Posted by: Jeffrey Damien Cappella | March 9, 2007 1:10 PM

You know i wonder who the Bushaters will go up against once Bush has served his term. Perhaps some psychiatric help to help them deal with that but please don't expect us the taxpayers to foot the bill. Socialists tend to be loud and in your face protesting quite a bit. Socialism just doesn't work. Karl Marx was a philosopher who couldn't hold a job not an economist. Having a philosopher determine the best economic policy for a nation is like having a plumber work on your computer.

Posted by: Jason | March 9, 2007 1:16 PM

The vast mayority of Americans are not aware of how much respect their country has lost in the world since the invasion of Irak (and most donÂ´t even care). Who can believe in America any more? All the lies regarding Irak, the inconditional support of IsraelÂ´s criminal actions,
(Irak was destroyed in the name od U.S. resolutions, while Israel is in breach of more resolutions than any country in the world. Irak was destroyed while Israel is constantly rewarded)Guantanamo, The International Court of Justice affair(where Bush has declared that no American can be Judged for war crimes or any other crime by International courts), etc. etc.
Unfortunatelly the Americans are more ignorant than they believe and People around the world are less ignorant than the Americans want to believe. Millions and millions who once were pro American (such as me) are now Anti-American. Anti- americanism will be the most powerful ideology of the first part of this century.

who is george bush? what he does for a living? I never heard of such a man.

Posted by: mwata | March 9, 2007 1:21 PM

I am living in Brazil right now, but am American from near Washington DC and I still tell people where I'm from. I love many things about America, Despise others...for example Bush. Thus, I explain to most everyone that being an American citizen is one thing, Liking Bush is another. I want Bush to take as much blame as possible for this war/the American situation, because in 2 years, he's not gonna be president, but i wonder if in two years people will have gotten over their disgust for the United States...

Posted by: Br | March 9, 2007 1:26 PM

haha, oh yeah, and really, lets send a reporter that knows the language, or at least when you write a column, don't tell us how you know nothing...Do your research, find out what certain words mean, and then write a decent article...

(Even knowing any latin language would help one understand...oh yeah, that four letter word you though it was, is Foda...haha)

Posted by: one more thing | March 9, 2007 1:30 PM

The misinformation contained in many of the previous comments are appalling. Comments like "countries suffering from US Aid" - don't be ridiculous! Europe would most certainly not be what it is today without US money. The person who commented that if you travelled around the world, you could see all the hatred for the US. Bull! Does anyone not realize that these demonstrations in countries that have such a wide division between wealth and poverty are probably funded by the wealthy? All they have to do is offer a bit of money and they can get all the demonstrators they desire. I have to also wonder about the sanity of someone who lauds Hugo Chavez. Those of you who believe we are not accomplishing anything in Iraq should talk to some returning soldiers. Most of them are shocked at the misinformation portrayed by the media on TV and in the newspapers. Don't think for one moment that all this protesting about biofuels is for noble reasons. Hugo Chavez needs the US to be dependent on oil since his country and his company ship alot of it here. Oh, I forgot, I guess he owns all the oil in Venezuela now. So it is all his oil coming here. Personally, I won't be stopping at any gas station called Valero. I also noticed that though the entire agreement has yet to be published, the "save the rainforests" group is already predicting the demise of such. Maybe in the agreement the technology to mass produce biofuels from corn or sunflowers is part of it. Sounds reasonable to me, but then I am a conservative, a mom, a grandma, a college graduate, a Lutheran, a volunteer for civic organizations, a retired professional, a person who believes that hatred and anger are not the answer - so what do I know? I worked all my life and never had time to do all this protesting and marching like some of my age group - the former "flower children of the 60's". Some of whom have yet to work a day in their lives.

Posted by: Ann | March 9, 2007 1:31 PM

It amazes me how Americans can side with Hugo, or any fool, when it comes to anti-Bush and anti-American mentality. Your Americans, show some respect and loyalty. Remember it was blood, sweat, and tears, that allows you to run your mouth, and not hugs and kisses. Go to Venezuala and call Chavez the devil, walk the streets in protest and see what happens. I smell sulfur.

Now let me get this straight,Jeffrey Damien Cappella. The U.S. was forced to support right-wing dictatorships in Latin America because the Soviet Union was supporting leftist "insurgents"? Was that the only option available? For all your disdain for the geo-political ignorance of "lefties", your own analysis is somewhat less than sophisticated.

Posted by: caracas brown | March 9, 2007 1:51 PM

Boy, Ann! For someone who "believes that hatred and anger are not the answer" you sure are full of it. Hatred and anger that is. Sounds like you could use a little "flower power".

Posted by: caracas brown | March 9, 2007 1:56 PM

Not only is Bush a criminal idiot, so are his supporters. I like the clown who talks about dying on the beaches of Normandy to defeat the Soviets. They were our allies,genius.
If you can't pronounce the weapon, you shouldn't have access to it: Noo clee
ar/ not nook u lar
I teach little kids just learning English who can pronounce this word. If you live here, you should learn the language, que no?

Posted by: jim | March 9, 2007 2:05 PM

If only neocons like Jeffrey weren't so blind as to believe that fascism (dressed up, perversely enough, as "freedom") in the political arena, combined with divisiveness and hatred in the social arena, is the best and most viable approach to managing human relations on both micro and macro levels. (And he claims "lefties" are the retards in the world!) Nice ad hominem attacks there, Jeff -- or did no one at your school point out that those are the mother of all logical fallacies? And by the way, using big words does not automatically make one an intellectual -- only good ideas do, and I have seen nothing of the sort from you so far, sir!)

It hardly requires a historian ("revisionist" or otherwise) to grasp the simple fact that violence, bigotry and hatred merely breed more of the same; history is beyond rife with examples of this dynamic. It's the simple and obvious law of attraction at work. That's certainly not to say people or nations should not defend themselves if attacked, but maybe -- just maybe -- people (particularly Americans!) should consider trying to show a little tolerance and consideration for other people and nations instead of taking the easy way out and buying into the cynical rhetoric and philosophies of hate merchants like Jeffrey and the gang down at the American Enterprise Institute.

Doing that won't solve every single problem in the world, but it's at least a step in the right direction. If you think that's just a bunch of Polyanna-headed pacifist nonsense that will get us nowhere, I have two words for you: Costa Rica.

Have a nice day, and love to you all -- yes, even Jeffrey! Just because I don't agree with him and take exception to his name-calling doesn't make him a bad person who doesn't deserve some love!

Posted by: Richard | March 9, 2007 2:09 PM

His Excellency's trip (President Bush) was a complete success. The rapport between presidents Bush and da Silva is very eloquent, and will only increase throughout time.

The commercial agreements between the United States and Brazil is of supreme importance, and the people of Brazil understand that and will surely welcome His Excellency President Bush with open arms again and some samba rythm the next time he and his delightful wife visits.

Obrigado, Brasil!

Posted by: Matedecoca | March 9, 2007 2:09 PM

Hey Cliff, listen up. What country HAS been crippled by economic agreements with the U.S.? Venezuela for starters, the last free trade agreement we made with them saw a 30% decline in their currency's value. Canadian citizens ALMOST got screwed as badly by NAFTA as U.S. citizens did. Of course agreements with the U.S. did GREAT things in Iraq! They're economy is BOOMING now that we've interfered there because our countries rich wanted their investments protected. India employers can't seem to find anyone to hire, maybe because they are all working American jobs?
We made agreements with South Africa and boy look at how nice Johannesburg is looking. Didn't we decide it was a good idea to trade/send aid in Somalia too? Sure pepped that place up! I wonder if the training/arms we gave to the congo are doing as well for them as it did for the Taliban. In other words, study some history, some economics.. something, but don't say something idiotic like that again without doing your homework pal.

The real question here is this. Why in the hell would we NEED a trade agreement with Brazil for ethanol? This country is pretty famous for producing LOTS of sugar, which is the most in demand ingredient for ethanol. It's easily REPLENISHABLE and there is absolutely NO reason we should need another country to produce it for us.
I'll give you a good idea on this one as well. An agreement is being made for BRAZILIAN WORKERS to work the sugar fields for next to nothing, once again using "free trade" to oust hard working americans from a prospective job market.

Bush needs to be careful with meaningless TARIFF's which he won't discuss. Again if you have studied any history then you know tarrif's were the true cause of the Civil War. When a tariff is laid on a commodity it should ONLY be so that local manufacture can compete with lower foreign prices, so why is it that a FIFTY-FOUR cent per GALLON tariff has been laid on a commodity not even being produced in significant amount here? We could sure use a new clayton or sherman anti-trust act here.. with a little teeth this time.

To close, Bush needs to stop these damnable foreign tours. It only reminds other countries of why they hate us. Besides with this country in the political/economic/social state that its in he needs to keep his behind in his OWN country and try to PROPERLY take care of business for once... OUR BUSINESS. THIS COUNTRY'S BUSINESS.

Posted by: Matt | March 9, 2007 2:09 PM

Ann,
Are you sure you are not Laura Bush in disguise? You need to take a break, step back, and travel the world. I may not agree with all the commenters, but they do have some valid points. If you google some history of Latin America, you will learn some truths about America's foreign policy blunders in that region. Regarding Iraq, I am surprised you are a college graduate. If you knew anything about the cultures of that region, you would have known why Bush Sr. refused to depose Saddam. Bush, clearly, is the worst president ever in the history of the USA and anyone with half a brain will arrive at the same conclusion. And those who believe America is #1, why are we still bogged down in Iraq? Why is our educational system so inferior to other countries? Why are there increases in poverty, bankruptcies, crime, divorce etc. in this once great country? Bush and Cheney have gone on their own adventure and abandoned us here at home. Wake up and smell the cappuccino. And by the way, it is imperative that we learn more languages and cultures besides our own.

Posted by: April | March 9, 2007 2:13 PM

amerika is rotting from the inside now...can't you tell?? We have had a criminal cabal (bush--cheney) is office and it shows....bush is a psychopath and a warlock....so what else is new???

Posted by: william huegel | March 9, 2007 2:15 PM

well it seems now with the bio-fuel, Bush will try and take over brasil in an effort to dominate everything fuel oriented.
FORA BUSH

Posted by: Elmo De Foque | March 9, 2007 2:19 PM

Ann- I just caught that comment. You ARE talking to a returning soldier. Anyone who was there for the initial assault can tell you it was nothing but blood and oil. We can also tell you who laid claim to it. Why is it that you miraculously think you know so much about my military or other nations sentiment? Europe? We helped europe? Hahahaha! Ma'am, do you have ANY idea how much money european countries have loaned the U.S. in the last 60 or 70 years? Do some homework. Nice to know you've been close-minded for 47 years though. You say you don't think violence is the way, but you JUST said you were a conservative right? I personally am of independent political affiliation since my H. Discharge.

Also, there is a very limited number of things a returning soldier can say publicly about the government, the "war", etc., We have limited disclosure. When I was out there most of us had NO IDEA what we were even supposed to be doing, other than standing around like an IDIOT in the same spot everyday waiting for someone to leave us an exploding present at our post.
I honestly don't know what any of that actually has to do with this subject though, just thought I'd call you on your Bull crap.

In the last 2 years i've visited(other than Iraq and Afghanistan) England, Germany, France, Japan, and Canada. The assumption that right now the world hates America is NOT off the mark at ALL. I'll give you some advice, if you go travelling abroad... pretend your ENGLISH.

Posted by: Matt | March 9, 2007 2:20 PM

All of these protesters are idiots. They go around loosely throwing around terms such as Nazi and Fascist, while right in front of everyone's eyes true fascist regimes are on the rise in Russia, Iran, China, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela just to name a few. These regimes are CLASSIC examples of fascism (even those that continue to insist that they are true Communists). They are dictitorial in nature, they allow for small business, while nationalizing all large industries, they are nationalistic and xenophobic, and they are murderous towards any opposition. Meanwhile all these clowns are running around feeling good about themselves because they so cleverly drew a mustache on a poster of Bush. Truly pathetic!

The comments about having to fight for freedom against "Islamo-fascists" are still sticking in my craw. The real enemies are not only Islamic fascists but also Christian & Jewish ones, anyone who believes in The Apocalypse & is in a hurry to bring the rest of us there.
Has anyone on the "Christian Right" ever heard of Jesus's Golden Rule? Since Iraq never did a thing to us, don't they have the right to resist the foreign invaders and their collaboraters? To the original "King George", George Washington was an "Insurgent".
Come to think of it, its true, freedom doesn't come easy. Look in the mirror.
jim

Posted by: jim | March 9, 2007 2:36 PM

Brazilian guy -

If Brazilians don't respect corruption, would you please explain to me why Paulo Maluf -- you know, the guy who was just indicted in NY for money laundering, which has been known for years -- received the most votes last year in the race for the Camara de Deputados? And what is "caixa dois"? And "rouba mas faz"? And what is Collor de Mello doing these days? And Antonio Carlos Magalhaes? Menos, amigo. Menos. Moro aqui durante muito tempo, e os brasileiros sÃ£o corruptos ate as cuecas -- e o dinheiro enfiado dentro das cuecas.

For all those who blame the US for the Arab-on-Arab violence in Iraq, would you also blame the civil rights activists of the 60s for today's black-on-black violence in the US or South Africa? At some point people must take responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming outsiders. The US did shake up the oppressive status-quo in Iraq, but it did not place the murderous barbarism in the hearts and minds of the various "insurgent" groups (they are called gangs in other parts of the world). During segregation in the US and South Africa life was simpler in some ways...everyone knew their place (for better or for worse), but few would advocate a return to that de-humanizing period in history. The same should go for today's more chaotic middle east.

Posted by: Boris | March 9, 2007 2:49 PM

I just spent 8 months in south america, and the popular opinion about bush is just that ....he's a tyrant and obsessed with world domination. When our neighbors to the south explained their disdain for Bush the obvious came up; a non-UN approved war against Iraq claiming WMD...and nothing was ever discovered.
the most interesting thing brought up was the Katrina disaster, poor minorities left for dead, without any assistance from the worlds superpower for 11days, abandoned....left for dead. Then huddled off into a stadium where people were raped and murder in a totally apocalyptic manner...... then finally help arrived. there question was how could this happen?
Elmo

Posted by: Elmo De Foque | March 9, 2007 2:53 PM

Just why does Brazil care one way or another about our president? They are not involved in Iraq, or in any other war with the U.S. Nor does the U.S. have anything else to do with them other than importing their goods which helps their economy. The ignorance of people who simply jump on any band wagon that appears popular is painfuly obvious in this article. Hitler indeed! Wasn't Brazil quick to welcome Nazi fugitives after WWII? Tend to your own backyard of crime and poverty before judging our President would be a far smarter thing for these fools.

Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 2:55 PM

Re:

>Canadian Friend:

>I don't recall the United States invading >Brazil. Every now and again we do invade >countries. For example when we joined >Canadians storming the beaches of >Normandy. Innocents died in Europe as >well, but wasn't it worth the cost? >Wasn't defeating the Soviets worth some >of the costs of innocents dying?

>Can you imagine what the world would be >like today if the United States had been >an isolationist for the past 60 years? >Most of the world would either be saying >Sieg Heil or calling everyone comrade. I >regret loss of innocent life, and those >who suffered by American Foreign policy >decisions, but I don't regret the >decisions themselves. And I don't agree >that because we supported a right-wing >dictator thirty years ago, you can blame >us for all of your problems today.

>Posted by: Cliff | March 9, 2007 11:04 AM

Hey Cliff,

The U.S. didn't openly invade Brazil but they did provide CIA training (including military training and instructions on torture and interrogation) as well as millions of dollars in funding for the military dictatorship that took out then President Joao Goulart in 1964 and the democratic system of government with him. The reason Goulart was removed was because he was considered a little too leftish for the U.S.'s taste. Not that he'd ever given any indication of being a communist. This same pattern was followed happened in most countries in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s (if you want specific examples, just ask)-- Democratically elected governments forcibly taken down in favor of brutal dictatorships for the simple fact that latter was more convenient for the U.S. at the time. The military dictatorship in Brazil reigned for almost 25 years, handing out huge contracts to U.S. corporations while arresting, torturing and killing any of their citizens who dared speak or protest against the imposed system of rule. The possibility of Latin Americans "calling each other comrade" was certainly an irrational fear of the U.S. administrations. And this possible alternate reality would have no doubt been favorable to the authoritarian governments that ruled with iron fists-- just ask any of the millions of Latin American citizens whose lost loved ones during this era. The idea that the U.S. can play with the regimes of other countries, determining the destinies of sovereign peoples who have nothing to do with their country just as one might play Risk, is a big reason why the United States of America as a nation is widely despised all over the world and why their foreign policy actions are distrusted.

Posted by: americantoo | March 9, 2007 3:00 PM

Hey Matt,

I appreciate your angry "shipping U.S. Jobs abroad" view of the situation at hand but you seem to be misinformed about some of the details.

You said "Why in the hell would we NEED a trade agreement with Brazil for ethanol? This country is pretty famous for producing LOTS of sugar, which is the most in demand ingredient for ethanol. It's easily REPLENISHABLE and there is absolutely NO reason we should need another country to produce it for us."

Easily replenishable is perhaps not the best way to characterize sugar cane. It's a crop that strongly saps soil of nutrients and requires a lot of rotation in farming. Second, the U.S. simply doesn't have the capacity to grow sugar cane on the same scale as Brazil and some Carribean nations since it requires consistently hot and dry climate. That's why the U.S. is trying to tout corn-produced ethanol (a big fraud)-- we've got way too much corn on our hands.

Then you said

"I'll give you a good idea on this one as well. An agreement is being made for BRAZILIAN WORKERS to work the sugar fields for next to nothing, once again using "free trade" to oust hard working americans from a prospective job market."

Even if that were Bush's intention, Brazil's lucky enough to have a savvy leader like Lula in charge-- a guy bright enough to put the kaibosh on lop-sided trade deals like FTAA.

Posted by: informed about stuff | March 9, 2007 3:17 PM

Its amazing how people tend to see America's past actions in a vacuum. If the US had not been propping up certain unsavory regimes of the past, the alternative in most cases would not have been a peaceful utopia, but rather a Soviet backed regime of equal of greater oppressiveness. Look at Cuba. Look at Syria. Look at North Korea for God's sake! Stop blaming the US for all the ills of the past, present, and future. The US is not perfect. But who is????? Does Brazil take care of their poor, or do they spend their lives wallowing in shanty towns? Does Venezuela promote environmentalism, or does it sell gas at a subsidized 8 cents per gallon? Does Iran promote free elections of does it prohibit "unpious" candidates from even running? Does China promote freedom of speech or does it block out half of the internet? Whatever wrongs the US has committed in the past, they have been in the context of containing the threat of far more oppressive and dangerous regimes, and whatever conspiracy theories you may want to attribute to the US government, they are nothing compared to horrific plots hatched up even today by Russia, Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe, etc...

Posted by: Boris | March 9, 2007 3:20 PM

You are doomed. People that were born and educated in the united states of americans, and unfortunately their families, for generations, have lived a fake, hollywoodian, volatile life. Stupidity is learned every week in the lala land (aka united states of americans). The word freedom states for fascism! You bet.
Americans ! Behold ! Your corporate government has captured your coronaries, your waistline, your halloween, your credit, your mortgage, your house, your education, your assets, your cars, and your souls. Suck it up and live with it. Because you like it. Until you change your corporate minds there is no way other countries and cultures will respect the united states of americans again!
Corporate united states of americans, good luck. By the way, how is your insurance doing? PPO, HMO, Medicare, Medicaid, is there anything for you there? Where is your 401k? Did you buy your gun yet? What is your kid doing in elementary school with a machine gun in his hand?
Vote Michael Moore for president.

Posted by: Brasileiro | March 9, 2007 3:24 PM

Hey Americantoo,
You seem to be upset about what happened in the sixties. What does George Bush have to do with the military coup that took place over 40 years ago when there was a Democrat in office? Do you also blame George Bush for the Latin American policies of the 70's? Just what has the CURRENT U.S. President done to Brazil?

Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 3:27 PM

Informed - Firstly, thank you for coming to me with logical points and arguments.

You are correct that sugar cane is very hard on the soil. Now, i'm pretty much a city boy but I do live in Georgia where a bit out from the city quite a few farmers are still growing sugar and king cotton.
This was an age old problem here. After a couple of harvests the nitrogen is sapped from the soil. Thankfully, different plants need different nutrients/elements in the soil. That is where crop-rotation comes in. I won't lie, that's damned labor intensive, but i'd say more than worth it.

We may not produce on the level of Brazil but we can certainly produce enough to hold our own. In my opinion the biggest problem with using oil is the dependence upon other countries/regions. I see ethanol and other possible alternative fuels as an escape from foreign hands in our daily lives and economy.

I agree Lula would search for the best interests of his own people. Not to be cold-hearted or anything but i'm more worried about my own countrymen.

I'm sure many won't agree with me, but i'm a big fan of the Monroe Doctrine. It was a very wise policy.

Posted by: Matt | March 9, 2007 3:28 PM

Boris,
You are subscribing to a very limited view of 20th century geopolitics (one very prolific in the U.S.). Specifically that during the cold war, sovereign nations somehow did not have the ability to determine their own destinies. That countries like Chile, Argentina, Brazil, etc. who had DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEADERS, would have inevitably chosen an oppresive, authoritarian form of government due to the influence of the Soviets. So instead the U.S. imposed an oppressive, authoritarian government for their own good to protect their people from the evils of the USSR. I suppose one can speculate to no end at how oppressive the governments of these countries might have been, in an alternate reality if they had not fallen under dictatorships in the 1960s and 70s, but, at the end of the day, it would be just that: speculation. And as things turned out, the reign of the military governments that existed IN REALITY were pretty damn horrific. Contemporary arguments that continue to support the installation of these regimes some 30 years ago strike me as chillingly similar to the view of the U.S. commander in Vietnam who commented that "we had to destroy the village in order to save it."

Posted by: americantoo | March 9, 2007 3:39 PM

Informed,
Sugar cane production in south Florida when running at full capacity will rival that of most countries and don't count out the Beet farmers in many states who produce sugar and jobs. True most of the jobs go to illegal workers from poverty stricken Latin Countries but what can you do when you live in a country that doesn't take care of it's population? I know! Move to the U.S. Which is what many from South America do.

Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 3:47 PM

Re:
>Hey Americantoo,
>You seem to be upset about what happened >in the sixties. What does George Bush >have to do with the military coup that >took place over 40 years ago when there >was a Democrat in office? Do you also >blame George Bush for the Latin American >policies of the 70's? Just what has the >CURRENT U.S. President done to Brazil?

>Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 03:27 PM

Well Jon,

It could be easily argued that Bush as a person doesn't have much to do with the military coups in Latin America. But he is the current leader of the nation whose will and influence directly caused them. To those who weren't alive then, the 1960s and 70s might seem ages away. But for nations who lived under these conditions (not to mention the citizens who survived torture, abuse and the loss of loved ones), it was a short time ago. The american mentality that the destiny of other sovereign nations can and should be determined by the U.S. as polymakers see fit (a mentality which is undoubtedly alive and well in George W. Bush) is an outlook that led to these military coups. It's also a bipartisan outlook. No need to play party politics on this one. AMERICA as a nation is widely despised around the world. I think it would be fair to say that very few foreigners despise us along party lines.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2007 3:53 PM

Hello Americanotoo,
Good points all,and by the way I was alive then and got to see the terriable faliure of policy first hand in Vietnam. My issue was simply that this was American policy not George Bush policy. If the people of Brazil wish to hate the U.S. fine. (who really cares) but the expressions of hate towards George Bush are fairly silly in this context of the 60's and 70's

Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 4:06 PM

No offence but what the hell is wrong with you people. Im not the smartest person in the world, I,ll be the first to admit I dont know that much about politics or trade agreements. I gotta say how dare you guys talk about America this way. Im nobody in the grand scheme of things im just your average American citizen making a living. I served MY country for four years in the military and I was fortunate to travel around the globe and see other cultures and experience them. I gotta say reading alot of these posts my blood is really boiling. If you hate our country so much get the HELL OUT. I am so sick of this. Has America reached a point were all we know how to do is complain? I am not a big supporter of Bush or the Iraq war (I served in it) but comparing President Bush to Hitler? Does anyone truly belive this garbage. Listen people no matter what we do other countries are going to have a problem with us GET OVER IT. You cant make everyone happy all the time. You can be against our countries policies and voice it but when people start saying they want our (and as much as you people hate it he is OUR president) president to be pulled out of a car and "torn apart" I think tahts going a little to far. I think alot of people take our freedoms for granted they dont relize the sacrifices good men and woman made for them to be able to say what they want and believe what they want. If you really belive that this country is lost and the worst in the world go then to the country of your choosing and proceed to hate on that country hopefully they wont execute you for your beliefs. GOD BLESS AMERICA THE BEST COUNTRY IN THIS CRAZY WORLD AND PROUD OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: BERGEET | March 9, 2007 4:27 PM

Socialism is the perfect form of government for the simple minded. No wonder it is so popular in South and Central America. No wonder they live in poverty.
President Bush is offering them a hand up. Hugo Chavez is pushing for the status quo, maintain an impverished continent, it is essential for his dictatorship to flourish.
Hugo Chavez cheats the people of his country and conveniently blames the United States and President Bush for the problems he causes the citizens of Venezuela. The Venezuelans are stupid enough in mass to believe his lies.

Posted by: John Jett | March 9, 2007 4:31 PM

do you think the WO and other MSM will cover the Rally in DC on the 17th of March... this one seemed to lack any info at all...
at least they can speck the language

Posted by: lost | March 9, 2007 4:52 PM

Re:
>Socialism is the perfect form of >government for the simple minded. No >wonder it is so popular in South and >Central America. No wonder they live in >poverty.
>President Bush is offering them a hand >up. Hugo Chavez is pushing for the status >quo, maintain an impverished continent, >it is essential for his dictatorship to >flourish.
>Hugo Chavez cheats the people of his >country and conveniently blames the >United States and President Bush for the >problems he causes the citizens of >Venezuela. The Venezuelans are stupid >enough in mass to believe his lies.

>Posted by: John Jett | March 9, 2007 >04:31 PM

Hey John Jett,

You seem to have some things mixed up-- you characterize socialism as "the status quo." I'd love to hear you expound on that. Before the current administrations in Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Chile, etc., when has there ever been a sustained adminstration in Latin America that could be categorized as socialist? (and by "sustained," in this case let's say it lasted longer than say two years or so before an armed resistance forcibly removed said administration). If there had EVER existed any such government in Latin America-- one that instituted and upheld socialist policies for a sustained period of time-- then maybe one might be able to make an argument as to how socialism is to blame for the extreme poverty in the continent. But even then, it'd be kind of a stretch.

Posted by: imformedaboutstuff | March 9, 2007 5:18 PM

Dear Casual observer,

Bush was also elected twice in USA. IÂ´ll ask you once again, does this mean all Americans support his so phony "war-on-terror" stuff?

I donÂ´t support corruption and IÂ´m not corrupt. And, once IÂ´m Brazilian, you canÂ´t no longer say "Brazilians are corrupted", without listing the exceptions.

Actually, I believe many Brazilians are looking foward to see Antonio Carlos, Paulo Maluf and Fernando Collor in jail.

Come on fried, send me a mail and weÂ´ll can keep this talk going (goette@terra.com.br). But stop criticizing my people in public!

Posted by: Brazilian Guy | March 9, 2007 6:53 PM

I'm glad I came across this forum about Bush's visit to my country. He's having a hell of a time down there! MY president, Lula, has many dificulties, right now, to save his own party's image due to corruption scandals, to contain unemployment, to protect the richest soil in the world, to boost more education, jobs and the economy to jump over the lame 2% of grow anually, to stop drug traffic, rampage violence, which should be states responsibilities, and many other issues my country has had in its 500 years or so. I, as a foreign citizen, lived in the USA from 99 to 05, hadn't seen much in my life before, then i experienced the american way of doing things, of building bridges and roads and schools, hospitals, of doing business, their train stations, their monuments, their airports. I saw how strong the country is internally after the 9/11 attacks, how much help and trust people put into each other. There's still a sense of honor for your country that you must have in order to live with a certain dignity in the society. There's the hard work, much more than what we imagine, and there's the elected government like any other. It's mistakes: FEMA, WMD, troops being killed, kids murdering in schools, Gtmo, government propaganda, foreign policies torward "poor" countries like mine, oil countries like Venezuela, Iran. I conclude that we, as a nation, must prioritize our own problems whether with or without the help of our biggest trade partner, to better elect local and national public figures to better strentghen our unstable democracy - yes, unstable by lack of social and criminal justice - protect our natural assets from foreign speculation, american or not, change our cultural values that hurt the core of our society, such as taboos over race, social exclusion, human rights, culture of crimes, in opposite to harder work, better wages, better public services better dignity. Like that we become better people and with no reason to blame the colonialists from 15th century, the capitalists altogether with the militaries from the 60s and 70s nor the actual american president. It's all wrapped up in our power to change through courage and mistakes we've learned from. The USA had their own bad times too. And they overcame them. Right now, more than ever, with terrorists at our own borders in Iguacu falls(lawless market area full of arabs in the border of ARG,PAR and BR) , one must wonder which side is better for us. Bloodthirsty antiamerican extremists or the americans who has had much more world history and experience as a nation in the same amount of time as us, a struggling democracy trying to overrate and sell our own fuel business?

Posted by: Doubtful Brazilian | March 9, 2007 7:36 PM

i just love all these idiots that say chaves and morales are heroes....
wait until they find out they are being robbed of all their liberty and dignity as a people and country. Chaves is a fool and morales is another. You cannot fix a country by following the lead of one that is in the same boat.

Posted by: jose | March 9, 2007 8:15 PM

"A few of us managed to escape the White House bubble long enough to get to the Avenue Paulista and found an emotional crowd that clearly doesn't care much for the president." I didn't know that reporters were captive of the White House. I thought they were independant of everyone. Please just report the facts and not your opion.

Posted by: J Thomas | March 9, 2007 8:45 PM

Thank you Doubtful Brazilian,thank you Bergeet.
If our trade aggrements are so bad why cant I buy anything made in America? Why dont we go to a 50/50 trade agreement with all countries. We give out $1 worth of product for a $1 recieved. That way it's fair for everyone. Lets see who in the World starves first,It wont be America.
2nd, I have been to 13 counties, lived overseas for 5 years and I can tell you a perfect senerio to sum up this entire Blog. I once had an Italian man from WWII crying to me at a bar in Italy because all of his countries problem were due to the fact that America did NOT just keep control after WWII. This was not a bad person, this was not hate, this was just a man who had no faith in his own goverment. Its easier to blame someone else for the uncontrolables in our lives.

Posted by: Darrnell | March 9, 2007 8:53 PM

Yes, they all hate us, but they still keep coming to this country. Seems to me we must be doing something right! What other nation in history rebuilds a country after waging war with it? Please keep in mind what Chavez represents. It is the Soviet Union all over again. Feed the poor, but keep them ignorant; fuel the young students with ideas so grand, yet unattainable. Then, when the time is right, take away their freedom. By then, the populace will be so dependent on the government, they will have no choice but to submit. It is not George Bush that Chavez hates, but us, because we represent the one thing he fears most of all....freedom!

Posted by: Anne | March 9, 2007 9:43 PM

too easy to say l hate U.S.or bush l hate pain but did bush start it

Posted by: gary delorme | March 9, 2007 9:43 PM

Time to settle the Bush is Hitler debate.Hitler was a decorated war veteran.

Posted by: little donny | March 9, 2007 10:02 PM

I am not a role model,I am a politician.

Posted by: dean | March 9, 2007 10:07 PM

"instead of open revolution, he used a strategy of seeking a constitutional dictatorship by means of the emergency powers given to his presidency"... Hugo Chavez? nope Adolf Hitler...

Posted by: anyone | March 9, 2007 11:17 PM

Dear April, In a very arrogant and sarcastic manner, you condescendingly address Ann and others while offering very little substance. You suggest that she could never have attended college based on her conclusions of Eastern cultue. However, the suppositions you either rely on or make are not accurate. You also seem to have a lack of understanding of Middle Eastern culture. You then comment on her ineptness of a college education, then state anyone with half a brain would conclude..... First of all, to reciprocate in kind, a college graduate would have to acknowledge that a person with half a brain would be incapable of coming to the conclusion you postulate.Furthermore I think the answers to the string of questions you pose may be traced back to a central common theme, at least in part, to a steady erosion of founding principles.

Posted by: aprils_tutor | March 9, 2007 11:17 PM

Precisely Jon, YOUR PRESIDENT
If you like pork, it does not mean other people must eat it

"Just why does Brazil care one way or another about our president? They are not involved in Iraq, or in any other war with the U.S. Nor does the U.S. have anything else to do with them other than importing their goods which helps their economy. The ignorance of people who simply jump on any band wagon that appears popular is painfuly obvious in this article. Hitler indeed! Wasn't Brazil quick to welcome Nazi fugitives after WWII? Tend to your own backyard of crime and poverty before judging our President would be a far smarter thing for these fools.

Posted by: Jon | March 9, 2007 02:55 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 9, 2007 11:25 PM

Little Donny,
How fitting a surname with which to match your little comments and particularly your "very little" thoughts

Posted by: Big Donny | March 9, 2007 11:29 PM

Hey BRASILEIRO,I spent the last 5 years working and living in latin america. You can say what you want about the USA but we have a much better life than you do, even our poor has electricity. Our poor is like your upper middle class. Your just another ignorant jealous forienger. Machine gun in schools, you hypocrite what about paying people to shoot the orphaned children running the brazillian streets? You have been brainwashed like many other ignorant americans by Michael moore. If the USA is so bad quit trying to cross the border and further more what are you doing complaing about the USA anyways? your not even an American, complain about your own corrupt government maybe if you focused on fixing your own problems instead of blaming the USA you wouldn't need or want to come to the USA. Take some responsibility, who are we Santa Clause?
Last thing is I was never so thankfull to be born American untill after 5-years in latin America. Every american should have to live abroad and experiance true governmental corruption.

Posted by: paul | March 9, 2007 11:40 PM

Bush makes America and American people look like we support his decisions and policies to the rest of the world. Americans need to show the world that we really dont support him like the Corrupt Media says we do.
This is a dictatorship!
What a beautiful day it would be to show the world we don't agree by making Bush the 1st successfully Impeached President!

Posted by: Dan | March 9, 2007 11:53 PM

"There are a lot of folks who don't like Americans because we have money, and they are poor", This Post by John shows ignorance. They are rich because they have been looting the world since end of World War two. Occupation of Iraq was to ensure looting goes on, and the real prize is Iran. The Republicans who got elected in the Congress are not any better and will not follow the wishes of the people. "For the people by the people" is a joke in U.S.

Posted by: Maryrose | March 9, 2007 11:56 PM

you guys go to cover the us president's visit to the largest portuguese speaking country in the world and no one speaks portuguese! well......................

Posted by: ioahimie | March 10, 2007 12:01 AM

If America is so great Paul, what is your president doing in the rest of the world?
Handouts?, NO THANK YOU, the samples do not end with Iraq.

Sincerely, please keep your hands to yourself. Corruption is bad enough to have it worsened by help from above

"If the USA is so bad quit trying to cross the border and further more what are you doing complaing about the USA anyways? your not even an American, complain about your own corrupt government maybe if you focused on fixing your own problems instead of blaming the USA you wouldn't need or want to come to the USA. Take some responsibility, who are we Santa Clause?
Last thing is I was never so thankfull to be born American untill after 5-years in latin America. Every american should have to live abroad and experiance true governmental corruption.

Posted by: paul | March 9, 2007 11:40 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 12:01 AM

Dear Precisely Jon,
EXTREMELY WELL SAID and I could not agree more. Then to see Americans, not just disagree with Our President....which I think is perfectly fine as I disagree with so many of his policies, but to degrade him, humiliate him, in such a vial manner,while following the lead of leaders of other countries, is the zenith of disrespect.I agree the band-wagon jumpers, in this instance, with Chavez, are repulsive. When one looks at the resources of our neighboring Mexico,they will find a road so filled with corruption as the only reason they are not as technologically,cuturally and financially or economically as advanced. Hitler inded is correct. I believe that history will be kinder to Bush than presently appears...I believe that history will find him to be an extremely poor orator and weak in motivational leadership. However, I believe history will find a man of unyielding principle and will think of him as a gifted visionary.I believe freedom does find a way. I further disagree with current policy and feel we can not force a desire for our vision of freedom the fanatics of Islam. I do not believe they are ready and therefore we are destined for at least temporarily failure. However, in the very distant future I believe that the widespread democratizaton of the Middle East is inevitable, and hence whether right or wrong Bush will be"The Visionary"

Posted by: Precisely Paul | March 10, 2007 12:05 AM

To All of You:Do not fight for anything like this,yes there are corrupted governments everywere,and this is not the
exception,with somo good govs. in the world,it is not enough,unfortunely it is like that.We are in Irak for Oil,but we are
not getting any profit,no; but the oil industr.We are killing soldiers and civilians every day in Irak,do not worry
when it's reach a high number we will live.
Now:Bush and Chavez they are similars.They
dictators,analize them both.
And finally:Clinton lied about having sex with Monica.Bush lied about MOMD in Irak,
this lie cost us Billions and billions of dollars,we are in serious economical problems.Read more and lern more,so you know what you talking about.

Posted by: David | March 10, 2007 12:21 AM

Said again, corruption is bad enough to have it worsened by help from above

"When one looks at the resources of our neighboring Mexico,they will find a road so filled with corruption as the only reason they are not as technologically,cuturally and financially or economically as advanced."

Posted by: Precisely Paul | March 10, 2007 12:05 AM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 12:22 AM

Chavez and his group of dimwits have the gall to down the U.S., our President and our way of life. He's a idiot and a fool. Any leader who can kiss Cindy Sheahan's butt and tell her that 'she should run for U.S. President' can only be less than a reasonable facsimile of a cockroach. Sheahan's son went to war for a purpose and she's is only managing to shame his memory by being a harlot and a traitor to the U.S. with Cheavez. She should burn in the hellfire of end times.

His people are poor and he stays rich by dupping them into believing that he's a god.

My family is fighting for the good of Iraq and to help others find and possess what Americans are blessed with. Freedom; and for this, we are hated.

Send Americans nothing to buy from these areas because I would never spend my hard earned dollars on their garbage. Their people can cry over the milk being spilt by the leaders. America doesn't need to put out more billions in assistance on losers. People who hate the citizens of the United States can send their goods elsewhere. If I see anything from these countries for sale, I WILL kick it aside.

Posted by: Chloe_24 | March 10, 2007 12:27 AM

Use your real name Chloe_24, and don't repeat the mirage of being anti-Bush is being anti-american citizens.

"If I see anything from these countries for sale, I WILL kick it aside.

Posted by: Chloe_24 | March 10, 2007 12:27 AM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 12:32 AM

I am utterly mortified that Bush is the president of my country. He and his croonies are nothing more than thugs. And to all you arrogant Americans who think this country is doing well because it has so many millionares, wake up and smell the gas fumes. More people in the U.S.A. are below poverty level than ever since Bush has been in office. The number grows. The country is failing on every count. The Iraqi war is bleeding us dry. And if you arrogant idiots that support Bush think the Iraqi war is such a good idea, get your butts over there and fight for your cause. Which of course you won't. But it's okay if America's poor go for you, isn't it? May some miracle occur for the country of Iraq and our U.S. troops that have been sent to their deaths for imperialism. As an American, I am so disgraced by Bush.

Posted by: kym | March 10, 2007 1:06 AM

I'm sure that I've read it somewhere that about 50 years ago, former First Lady Barbara Bush admitted to have an adulterous liaison with former Cambodian despotic ruler, Pol Pot. The murderous & stupidest way the George Bush Jr behaves today possibly is the by product of that liaison. I pity George Bush Sr.

Posted by: arrybujang | March 10, 2007 1:07 AM

chloe - it is unfortunate that you have bought into bush-speak regarding the war in iraq. and sad that your family members are there fighting because they are not fighting for democracy. hello. come on, girl. iraqis are fleeing their own country by the hundreds of thousands. it is virtually no longer fit to live in. other bordering countries are feeling the strain of thousands of iraqi refugees. only the wealthy are getting out of iraq and even they are facing huge difficulties. don't act like you have some understanding of what is going on in iraq, because clearly you don't. and god forbid, if one of your family members are injured, the u.s. military will leave them out in the cold. read about the walter reed scandal, chloe. and your president doesn't seem to EVER have time to visit the troops he sent to war who are now lying mangled in the hospital. what a shame. what a disgrace.

Posted by: kym | March 10, 2007 1:21 AM

Latin American countries, including Mexico are impervious to changes in governance, political or economic systems. When the majority of a country's population are unskilled, mindless breeders - what difference could it possibly make? Guys like Chavez and that ex-Sandanista turned rich capitalist - Ortega, fully understands this. They'll 'viva la raza' their people and then retire with unimaginable wealth to Monte Carlo or Geneva where they can share photo-ops with intellectual heavyweights like Angelina, Bono and George Clooney. In the meantime, their pitiful countries will remain the IMF beggar nations that they've always been. And 'la raza' will continue to gravitate northward to feed at the gringo trough.

Posted by: hatton | March 10, 2007 1:24 AM

why wouldnt the mob/masses despise the US..the oversees mobs are even more conditioned and brainwashed than their American counterparts ie Fox news addicts, GOP parrots, and the vast majority of voters who think the Govt is a tool to be used to promote anything.

the US govt global intervention over the last say 107 years has been that..intervention and meddling and manipulation and coorcian and blackmail and pimping....reduce the global populations to groveling hungry bitter groupthinkers....and this is/has been/WILL ALWAYS be the result...

wonder if the Post(and this board)can think past the wall in front of their eyes..

Posted by: Chris Bieber | March 10, 2007 1:41 AM

My fellow Americans, based on the current activities and protests that have been forming because of the Bush visit i must conclude that there is hiprocrisy in all of this. Sadly for Bush he will be remembered as a disgrace to the United States of America and worse a man whos reputation was so bad he ends up being compared to Hitler. However it is not just Bush i am angry at here but it is those fools who attack freedom and democracy in the World and use the excuse to brand the United States of America as a imperialist nation. What hipocrisy that such fools like Hugo Chavez can lead a mass of people into believing that a left wing extremist dictatorship in Venezuela will resolve the problems of the poor. How ironic that a Socialist like Chavez would be using capitalism to fund his leftist regime into the rest of Latin America. The main point of all this Bush is a disgrace and there are many who do not support his views in the controversial Iraq War even in the US. The United States of America vision is to protect freedom and democracy worldwide using all powers necessary to defend it.This doesnt mean the United States is best represented by Bush for we the people here in America do not feel he is a decent representative to our own nation.The mission of Dictators like Fidel Castro and Chavez is to trick the idiotic masses of latin america into believing their left wing idealogies to promote their communist propaganda.South America has itself to blame for being in poverty as we the United States of America are not responsible for the actions and irresponsibility of the incompetence of the Latin American nations to combat corruption in their own government and to promote progress in their own nations and to relieve poverty.South America needs to take politics seriously and have serious laws to combat crimes in Latin America primarily corruption and also they need to start keeping track of progress being done in the nation so they can advance further.Chavez and Bush are both really dictators just hiding behind their idealogies.Bush is suppose to be with the good guys or otherwise the so called champion for democracy but he is branded the opposite as a imperialist.Chavez himself who is a communist uses socialism to gain more power in Venezuela and then by moving Venezuela closer towards Dictatorship similar to Fidel Castro's Cuba.I will never allow someone like Hugo Chavez to succeed for he spells doom for democracy everywhere and for even the disgraced U.S president Bush to resign the presidency early for incompetence on what really happened on 9-11,the Patriot Act,the illegal Wire tapping being made,lack of progression on enviromental issues,the lies behind the Iraq War including the weapons of mass destruction that were never found.I hope here in America we champion the cause of defending freedom from imperialism and terrorism.The United States of America will be a champion in defending that freedom even in the mist of tyrants and left wing extremists who attack the most powerfull country in the World in a attempt to promote their lies and communist propagandas to the world.The Soviet Union has fallen because communism is a dictatorship and never will come back to life.We must not allow capitalism and communism go to the extreme in this world.The United States is what it is today because it balanced capitalism with socialism but at the same time protecting freedom and civil liberties of millions of people who have died and fought to protect freedom in this World.For this great reason the United States is the richest country in the World allowing equal rights and equality for all men and women everywhere to be protected in a economy of a nation.President Inacio Lula da Silva should be ashamed of himself for taking advantage of the Brazilians money and allowing his political party otherwise known at the "PT" to take money out of public registers in front of massive Brazilian people.There is massive corruption in Brazil and the worse part of it is that the president of Brazil doesnt do anything.I say this because i am not a American but a Brazilian speaking on behalf of all who champion freedom.I am Brazilian and South American but i am still a American who lives in the United States of America. Bush,Chavez,Fidel Castro,Lula are all corrupt politicians. There are no winners in this story only losers. The only winners are the ones who stand up for what is right in this world and that is to defend Freedom.I hope with my message people will take corruption seriously and end the biggest problem that goes on in many nations of the World. God Bless America and our Troops.

Posted by: Roger Stephen Roth | March 10, 2007 1:56 AM

My fellow Americans, based on the current activities and protests that have been forming because of the Bush visit i must conclude that there is hiprocrisy in all of this. Sadly for Bush he will be remembered as a disgrace to the United States of America and worse a man whos reputation was so bad he ends up being compared to Hitler. However it is not just Bush i am angry at here but it is those fools who attack freedom and democracy in the World and use the excuse to brand the United States of America as a imperialist nation. What hipocrisy that such fools like Hugo Chavez can lead a mass of people into believing that a left wing extremist dictatorship in Venezuela will resolve the problems of the poor. How ironic that a Socialist like Chavez would be using capitalism to fund his leftist regime into the rest of Latin America. The main point of all this Bush is a disgrace and there are many who do not support his views in the controversial Iraq War even in the US. The United States of America vision is to protect freedom and democracy worldwide using all powers necessary to defend it.This doesnt mean the United States is best represented by Bush for we the people here in America do not feel he is a decent representative to our own nation.The mission of Dictators like Fidel Castro and Chavez is to trick the idiotic masses of latin america into believing their left wing idealogies to promote their communist propaganda.South America has itself to blame for being in poverty as we the United States of America are not responsible for the actions and irresponsibility of the incompetence of the Latin American nations to combat corruption in their own government and to promote progress in their own nations and to relieve poverty.South America needs to take politics seriously and have serious laws to combat crimes in Latin America primarily corruption and also they need to start keeping track of progress being done in the nation so they can advance further.Chavez and Bush are both really dictators just hiding behind their idealogies.Bush is suppose to be with the good guys or otherwise the so called champion for democracy but he is branded the opposite as a imperialist.Chavez himself who is a communist uses socialism to gain more power in Venezuela and then by moving Venezuela closer towards Dictatorship similar to Fidel Castro's Cuba.I will never allow someone like Hugo Chavez to succeed for he spells doom for democracy everywhere and for even the disgraced U.S president Bush to resign the presidency early for incompetence on what really happened on 9-11,the Patriot Act,the illegal Wire tapping being made,lack of progression on enviromental issues,the lies behind the Iraq War including the weapons of mass destruction that were never found.I hope here in America we champion the cause of defending freedom from imperialism and terrorism.The United States of America will be a champion in defending that freedom even in the mist of tyrants and left wing extremists who attack the most powerfull country in the World in a attempt to promote their lies and communist propagandas to the world.The Soviet Union has fallen because communism is a dictatorship and never will come back to life.We must not allow capitalism and communism go to the extreme in this world.The United States is what it is today because it balanced capitalism with socialism but at the same time protecting freedom and civil liberties of millions of people who have died and fought to protect freedom in this World.For this great reason the United States is the richest country in the World allowing equal rights and equality for all men and women everywhere to be protected in a economy of a nation.President Inacio Lula da Silva should be ashamed of himself for taking advantage of the Brazilians money and allowing his political party otherwise known at the "PT" to take money out of public registers in front of massive Brazilian people.There is massive corruption in Brazil and the worse part of it is that the president of Brazil doesnt do anything.I say this because i am not a American but a Brazilian speaking on behalf of all who champion freedom.I am Brazilian and South American but i am still a American who lives in the United States of America. Bush,Chavez,Fidel Castro,Lula are all corrupt politicians. There are no winners in this story only losers. The only winners are the ones who stand up for what is right in this world and that is to defend Freedom.I hope with my message people will take corruption seriously and end the biggest problem that goes on in many nations of the World. God Bless America and our Troops.

Posted by: Illuminated Genius | March 10, 2007 2:02 AM

I laught when I read a comment from a very stupid person name thehypocrite who claims that no country have an economy agreement with USA success in economy!! How about Japan,Korea, Thailand, hongkong, taiwan...
(don't forget that Japan and most euro countries were destroyed after WW II)
Latin america economy struggle not because US but because of their political systems !!!
by the way I would like to speak loudly that:If not because of USA, most of Asian countries are now under the hand Japan or china (korea, taiwan,vietnam, singapore, philiine,thailand,lao, cambodge, indonesia,
malasia)

Posted by: hoabui, San Diego | March 10, 2007 2:52 AM

I am African and I hope Africans learn from these protests and open their eyes.They are being used in any way.

Posted by: michael | March 10, 2007 3:42 AM

Bush and his MAFIA GROUP in the white house carries 50-50 blame. They're bloodthisty and outrageous racist since the early activities of the KKK then, 2005 Hurricane Katrina. In Iraq, they're out to eliminate any person until they fix a govt that allows them fetch oil as they want, and kill everyone in Afghanistan until they own the land so that they have a place and watch over china. Let me remind them that attacking Iran either by sanctions or war will cost the whole world, especially the European cowards who felt that they cant live without the white house dearly...and even worst than the two World Wars. I think the AMerican people should have to work together and fight those people who are inimical to their country and FUTURE.

The world is watching.

Posted by: Hannde Be Janngo | March 10, 2007 3:46 AM

You people are so uninformed it's disgusting to read this crap!! Don't be cheering for Hugo Chavez, he's not just anti-bush.. He hates ALL americans!!

Posted by: Eli | March 10, 2007 4:05 AM

Fora Bush.... And by "fora" a mean the four letter "F" word.

Posted by: meghnarmajhi | March 10, 2007 4:24 AM

What side of the fence do you stand in, have you turned a loony conspiracy theorist? give us the source of your info Eli, the official story says he does not hate americans.

The worst judgment I can engage in would tell me you are among those living off a corrupt system and are willing to repeat ill founded stories which are nothing new since the war campaign began for the Iraq invasion.. On these flawed assumptions you will put logic to work but forget you can only get garbage when you have put garbage in to start with.

This piece of my mind is generous, Chavez calls Bush the devil incarnate. Judging by the acts and not the words, there actually is a resemblance.

Given the alternative you should speak for yourself. I call on Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel to protect us from Luzbel/Yetzel/Belcebu/Satan

"You people are so uninformed it's disgusting to read this crap!! Don't be cheering for Hugo Chavez, he's not just anti-bush.. He hates ALL americans!!

Posted by: Eli | March 10, 2007 04:05 AM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 5:30 AM

Let me bestow upon you, my South American brethren, the luxuries, privileges, wealth, freedoms, and peace of democracy ... as I did in Iraq by flying daily in the NO FLY ZONE ... as I do in Iran sailing 24/7/365 in Iranian National Waters ... as I do by blessing our gatherings here in Latin America today with my blood-soaked smirk.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2007 5:43 AM

Free trade agreements with Latin America have decimated the small farm in the United States. None of you care about the farm crisis. You continue to buy products from ADM and other corporate giants who have profited from free trade. Manufacturers such as the North Carolina textile industry all moved to Latin America after NAFTA. Remember Ross Perot's "huge sucking sound"? To compound the problem Clinton gave China most favored nations trading status and the sucking sound grew louder.

Remember this... a specialist society cannot exist without agriculture. This country should not be dependent on others for food and fiber. Exhibit one the the following URL http://www.foxfibre.com/

Posted by: Farmer Sam | March 10, 2007 6:53 AM

Interesting how these protests are being dubbed "anti-American" by the capitalist-fascist media. They're not anti-American, and certainly they don't hate me. They hate the sociopathic vampires of Wall Street, the Pentagon, and the CIA, as well as slavish Latin American "leaders" who kowtow to these imperialist vermin. Since for me, "America" doesn't equal Wall Street, the Pentagon, and the CIA (or Bush) - I don't interpret the protests as "anti-American." And neither do the protesters.

Posted by: Stephen | March 10, 2007 6:59 AM

Nobody seems to understand that the world's pendulum is swinging back to pre-nuclear age geopolitics. A very nasty place. By about 2009 you will wish it was 1948 again.

Posted by: Da Bunk | March 10, 2007 7:36 AM

I look, read, and see that people tend to pic an unsavory figurehead (in their opinions) and judge an entire nation on what they think of that one person. I know I don't dislike Venezuelans; some of the coolest people I've met are from Iran (but they introduce themselves as Persians). In all this time I've lived over here in this current country of conflict, as one guy earlier mentioned.. "all I saw was oil". It's because some of the people, thinking that the Americans were after it, sabotaged the oil lines repeatedly. Those flames were likely the oil that he saw. They were pretty prominent on the lanscape in some areas, flames reaching hundreds of feet into the air, smoke visible for miles. I don't know if it was local or foreign insurgents looking to accomplish their goals. Some people here would likely find fault with me here, as well, for being a person who is paid to protect people involved in the reconstruction of this country. I see schools built, water, electric, medical clinics built.. All in the name of our evil, right? Where I am right now, there isn't any violence like there often is in other areas of Iraq; the people here who I talk to are cheerful and their economy is doing much better than it ever was before under the oppression of Saddam's regime. I'm not completely defending our presence, it seems that though we weren't in agreement with Saddam's actions and voice (pretty much the same way our neighborly Iranian president's attitude shows now, blustery and full of threats), he had an element of control here, like it or not. But to leave now would be disastrous, and the bullies and opportunists would take over. I do believe at this point our people over here are trying to do what's right. I know we've had one veteran of here speak out against, but like that other person said, there are manypeople coming home from this to be shocked and appalled to see what is being reported, far from what they see with their own eyes. The press is so often one of the biggest culprits. After all, CNN and all the other news stations have ticker symbols on wall street; they're a business. Carefully placed stories which profoke a powerful reaction in a people, produce more stories. An example...when I first moved to Baghdad there was no waste disposal service. As when I lived in the Philippines, people burn their trash on the curbside of the street, sometimes off to the side. On the curbside where I was at the time anyway.. I had no political leanings toward either dem or rep at the time, since the early 90's CNN had always been the prominent news source to me. SO when I logged onto cnn.com one day, I saw a link that said "exclusive story", so out of interest(and some free time), I took the click. I was greeted with a photo of five children, shoulder to shoulder, smiling, beaming, it seemed as if they were skipping and prancing towards the camera, big happy smiles on their face. Behind them lay a small pile of burning garbage on the street curb. I can never forget the words though..."Children flee from fiery explosion". I still don't know who benefitted from that..the photographer? The news company's "agenda"? Well I admit to veering a bit off from the primary subject, but want to remind people of how much the media really shapes what people think about us, others, all countries, and everything. It seems people usually know about how many people died in the bomb for the day, Anna Nicole Smith, and Brittany's new hairdo. If the violence goes down for the week, there's no report, they'll count the numbers for the month; if it goes up, it's headlines! One can't help but notice when you see the information from multiple sources through the time out here. I feel like I am a part of the positive effort out here. I see growth and progress in more than one place. Bush isn't perfect. No president ever will be, as one person wrote that he wasn't at the hospital to greet the wounded. Really, he is expected to be everywhere at once, do everything perfectly, be a perfect Mother Theresa...but without the religion, of course. When I see people call names... "Adolph Hitler", "stupid", "Mafia Group", well... any time you start name calling, it detracts from your argument, what you're trying to say. People react to the slander, not your other words. I agree with yet another poster that Bush is certainly an.... unskilled orator. Where other politicians smoothly talk and schmooze the people regardless of whether they are selling you a line or not, Bush tends to trip up, stumble on the words, and overall people jump on this and tear into him for all they're worth with this opportunity he gives them. We're trying for newer cleaner forms of energy; I'm not against the idea of hemp, sawgrass, or other sources, as well.hopefully it will be the right choice, and we can stop arguing long enough to move forward. I'm personally in favor of looking into hydroelectric....wind, solar... But those are just thoughts of mine for now. It's interesting how people are swept up in the bandwagon, so to speak (sorry, a better or more suitable word doesn't come to mind at the moment) to protest this or that person, who is trying to do what he feels is right. Maybe he needed to have more research on the economic effects of these talks on the lower income classes, I can't say, I'm not sure if it is for the better or worse, completely. I'm mainly commenting on these people's reactions, these mad statements; some very thoughtful though, and adding a thought or two (or six) of my own. I can see a new election for our country being a good thing; right or wrong, it seems the world need s a new face from our country to hate. I just hope that the people won't react so strongly to this administration's troubles to go overboard in the opposite direction when it's time to go to the polls. I try to travel all that I can, talk to the people, and learn a little here and there. I don't feel that I have all the answers, but want to offer a touch of though, perhaps insight. After that I have alot more to read, and alot more to learn before I run around with any absolute truths, telling people that they're right or wrong. Even then, I don't think that I will, I'd prefer to discuss it. Best wishes to all, from all parts. -C

Posted by: Chadley | March 10, 2007 7:37 AM

He sends your children to get whacked in the middle east,

He is in South America digging for cheaper gas, thirsty for cheap oil...

of course noboby wants him around , wherever he passes by everything dries or dies

for real , gringo should go home...

Posted by: Hugo Chavez | March 10, 2007 7:58 AM

I worked in Brasil for most of 2003 in Duque de Caxias and here is what I saw:

Brasil is a non racist society-it is a continuous spectrum from pasty white to coal black and football keeps it together. Other societies could learn something from them.

Sure they got favellas but I could never figure out why the wealthy live in the flats and the hoi polloi have a room with a view. Maybe the havenots are smarter than you think.

If you really want to learn how to drive go to Rio, man. I saw bus drivers that could blow Michael Schumacher away.

I would still like to have a Gol. Do I have to back to get one?

Posted by: Munk | March 10, 2007 8:16 AM

God bless the republic of the United States of America...God damn the semi retarded GW and his coterie AIPAC affiliated masters.

Posted by: Woodkerne | March 10, 2007 8:18 AM

Three news stories have always stuck in my mind:

In the 80s, some guy named Wilson was protesting outside of a US nuclear weapons plant and decided to sit down in front of an oncoming freight train which cut him into several pieces. Interpret that how you will.

Palestinians dancing at the news of the 9/11 attacks. That was more offensive than the attacks.

THe Christmas 2006 Wall Street bonuses. If any more news like this doesn't start a civil war, I don't know what will.

It's hard to counter a left wing newspaper.
The Post is a paper alignd with the "terrorist" cause. We should all be behind the president of the United States in defeating those terrorist dogs. I have seen too many articles in the left press insulting the best president we ever had.
"Viva Bush"

Posted by: Pablo Rodriguez | March 10, 2007 8:40 AM

This is fun. I just want to remind you that America is not a country, but a huge continent, going from the North of Canada to South of Chile. So Mr Bush has not the right to say, God bless America, eveytime he does.
By the way, I think people all over the world are smart enough to know the difference between the US goverment and the US citizens and the latter are welcome everywhere, because they are nice, respectful and eager to learn about the place they are visiting.

Posted by: virginia | March 10, 2007 9:09 AM

Republicans, and their Bevis and Buthead Administration are imposing "American style democracy", which is like "american footbol", nobody likes it, because it is not a footbal at all, by definition and rest of the world will never like "american stupid-footbal" and this type democracy of usury, and 45's power of Christian sects - calling to go to war, because they like to start "Armagedon" and they use private interpretations of Holy Bible, I do underline: private interpretations, and they do not have anything to do with True, Holy Church.

Posted by: kryssov | March 10, 2007 9:12 AM

hey people get a life!! bush is ok you dont like him because he tells the truth!! and if they all hate us so bad why are the riskiing there lives to get here? yea yea all you bush haters will sing another tune when you elect that bush baby o-bamba

Posted by: leroy redbone | March 10, 2007 9:30 AM

George Bush is A Giant of a Man among all you teeny little urchins. You are all despicable and loathsome creatures when compared to a Great Man like George Bush. You shrivel away from your own image in disgust.

Posted by: jehosaphat | March 10, 2007 9:32 AM

George Bush is SATAN. AMERICA IS THE EMPIRE OF EVIL SATAN AND TYRANNY, RESIST the EVIL NOW.....
SUPPORT TRUE PEACE / (Islam) by Standing AGAINST "GEORGE BUSH" and HIS Corporate Machine and Military Industrial Complex controlled by the politicians and Corparations.
ALLAH ACKBAR

Posted by: Abu Baker Smyth | March 10, 2007 9:37 AM

if there ever was a reason to make civilians targets...

Posted by: hawk | March 10, 2007 9:42 AM

I guess they like all of you need someone to hate!! so what kink of pres. would you be?

Posted by: randy | March 10, 2007 9:49 AM

Wake up and smell the coffee-In Iraqistan we are dealing with the most savage barbarians the world has ever seen, these guys make the Nazis look good. My proposal, partition out an area of Iraq that centers over the major oil fields and depopulate it. Any local looking person caught within is ushered out or if they resist they get the free ticket to Allah's paradise. Establish a permanent American zone here and build it up to the max. Our ancestors would do it this way-nice guys finish last.

Posted by: hawk | March 10, 2007 10:09 AM

we dont have far to to go to find satan! I"N an American and i can tell you all i don"t trust bush cheney or all the brown noses that up their backsides, ARE YOU AWARE BUSH"S NEW PLAN? the 24 lane highway from mexico to canada? and all the new truck drivers from mexico there are over 4000 of them driveing in our country now!! talk about free trade, now it will be easier now for all Americans to get high on your choice of drugs.Bush is not happy just makeing money on oil or war, he wants the other big money makeing business drugs!! im ashame to be an American today, and hope with all my might that we the people of this country can truly bring honesty and real humanity back to our country. and rid us all of the bush"s greed and evil. STAND UP AMERICA!!

Posted by: daseymaes | March 10, 2007 11:05 AM

I have read most of the items here and am impresed by some--not all by any means. I speak from the perspective of the Korean and Viet Nam 'conflicts' as well as 22 years active military duty, plus another 21 years of military related civilian service. There are so many things wrong with the current administration it becomes impossible to list them. To name but a few, how about Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, the recently abused (according to FBI chief) Patriot (what is patroic about it?) Act. Space and time preclude more listings. I speak several foreign languages, have two advanced degrees, and have resided more than 15 years outside the U.S. I am certainly no more qualified than any other American to speak about the Bush Aministration. However, by the same token, I feel that more than 43 years of service to my (our) country, gives me the opportunity to speak freely, as any other Ameican. I apogize for misspelled words. Thanks for letting an old (very old) war dog add my two cents worth.

Posted by: warthog | March 10, 2007 11:26 AM

I agree with the idea that other nations dislike Americans because we are so powerful. However, does that make it right to completely and blatently hate us? We haven't done anything wrong. More people hate us more than the German country, and have we created a holocaust that killed millions? Have we really done experiments on live and conscious patients? No, we haven't. There has never been a war or movement from America completely based on hate.

I see no reason for the constant hostility towards us. I'm so sorry that your country sucks and doesn't know how to control it's economy, but does that give you the _right_ to continually protest against us? No, it really doesn't.

People like Chavez are only trying to gain reputation in order to take control, you know, just like Castro, Stalin, Hitler. Where do you think your country is going to go when he gets some sort of power, if he does? Yeah, right to hell, just like it always has. Maybe if you would elect competent leaders, we wouldn't have all these problems.

People bash Bush constantly, saying he's doing a terrible job as President. I think it is truely the opposite, in that he is looking out for the United States' best interests. Isn't that what a good leader does? Bush doesn't lead the world, and it is not his responsibility to pick up your screwed up country. He is leading his country, and on top of that, giving YOURS some sympathy. Maybe you should be grateful for what he does do, and look at what he could do instead.

I constantly hear about all of these "Anti-War protests." I cannot stand when people are so against war, even to the point that they won't even support their American brothers and sisters in that same war. How "American" is that? War is necassary, and the world runs on conflict. Just because one country is peaceful does not make every other country that way. The terrorists got ballsy, and they blatently attacked us.

Do you understand what would have happened if we didnt go to war? We would have gotten attacked again.
And again.
And again.
Until finally the American people would call to arms, and demand some action. All Bush did was protect his country before we got hit again. Yet you protest this? Give me a break. How much protesting would you do if you got killed in that second attack because of you irrational "Anti-War" movement that succeeded? How pissed off would you be if we did absolutely nothing about your death?!

Ignorance of the world and it's problems is no reason to hinder our country and open it up for blantant attacks. It's stupidity to do so.

All this and I'm only fifteen years old. I like how I have more common sense than most people in the world.

Posted by: Tyler Tollin | March 10, 2007 11:45 AM

If 90% of the idiots that posted on here had at least a high school education and had traveled somewhere other than Kentucky in their lives, this would be a half-way intelligent conversation. To the other 10% thank you for making legitimate remarks.

The US is not perfect and neither is any other nation in the world. But as the most powerful nation in the world we have certain obligations to the rest of the world. Obligations which require diplomacy and not unilateral attacks. I am an American who is not afraid to travel the world and let people know that I am indeed American. People around the world do not hate us because we are from the US, they hate our government and what they do to the world. We see the news nightly that and it shows the US with maybe 30 seconds worth of international news. Travel to Brazil, India, Germany and turn on their news. Almost half of it talks about the United States. Why is that? This is because our decisions, especially on foreign policy issues effect all nations greatly. Students in these countries grow up learning our history better than we do and that is a shame. We have a President who like many of the people posting had traveled abroad ONLY three times before becoming President. How can a man with so much power dictate for the world with no experience in it? I have lived many years throughout Latin America and have wrote many papers on it. How can you expect these nations to be able to grow and remain stable when our government causes many of the instabilities that they encounter? Of course the people of these countries dislike the US government. Our government and many times our people are ignorant to the rest of the world. Everytime I come back from Brasil people ask me if I saw Monkeys and Anacondas everywhere? They can hardly believe that Sao Paulo is the third largest metropolis in the world. Once we are able to respect these countries maybe then we can move forward without these igmorant biases.

A side note for Munk: Brasil does have a large amount of racism still. It appears not to, due to many different skin colors. However, Travel to Salvador or Florianopolis and you will see the racism. This is something that Brasil is working on but it is still a sad reality. It is no different than traveling in St. Louis, Memphis or Des Moines. It is just a tough process to change people's views. The newer generations in both the US and in Brasil are changing this norm and trying to rid racism from our cultures.

Thank you for listening.

Posted by: Milldog | March 10, 2007 11:55 AM

America is a constitutional Republic - NOT a democracy.

Have u noticed that 3rd world guvt leaders never let their people have the unalienable (God given) to protect themselves as whatever means necessary? Bush is just doing what's he's told to do by the Corporations and the bankers. Those entities run this country and dictate what happens in other countries. WE (America) are hated around the globe because our corporations want our leaders to dictate policy in other regions so they (corps) can make more $$. We have troops in 140 plus countries protecting corps interests.

We (our leaders)want free elections on other countries - as long as those people elected are 'liked minded' politicans. If the freely elected 3rd world leader is not 'like minded' then the CIA will make up stories and convince Americans we must go into another country to 'protect' their citizens and help spread 'democracy'. In other words - make huge $, have only a peasant working class, educated people are placed in prison - that's the bottom line.

Where in the hell do u c in the constitution(s) that our leaders can take our $$ (from the treasury) and give it to other countries?

Believe that Iran is supposed make using american dollars illegal in their country, sometime in March. Let's c how long the bankers wait before demanding Bush send young ignorant kids over their to die?

Posted by: Eagle | March 10, 2007 11:57 AM

The mark of the beast is Ingnorance and it appears the world is full of the mark. Latin America is a joke. It is the Americas. So, if you want "Gringos to Go Home," take Hugo Chavez, and the rest of you latinos, Murders of Millions. Remember you geniuses that Latin is from Italy? Spain? France and what ever other european or foreign place you come from. Get out you imbeciles, this land is for the innocent, this land is for the Native Americans, north to south, east to west, AMERICA, a land where want to be free of all of you. Latins leave america, leave us in peace, take your ways back to Latin Europe. Go, Go, Go

Posted by: Native American Indian | March 10, 2007 12:02 PM

The current anti-American sentiments are a result of the United States being much too benevolent for much too long. This has resulted in a lack of gratitude that is due us. We try to use diplomacy with the Latin Americans when the only thing they will ever understand is brute force. They need to be governed by dictators because they simply lack the basic values to govern themselves in a democratic system. If they are stupid enough to elect Chaves, then they obviously will never have the mental capacity to run thier own lives. We also have our cross to bear...after all, we elected Cinton, not once but twice!!!

Posted by: casey storms | March 10, 2007 12:03 PM

Did you know that throughout history, democratic governments fall apart in about 200 years? The people usually realize that they have NO power and REVOLT. What's taking us so long?

Posted by: anotherdissatisfiedamerican | March 10, 2007 12:15 PM

Address by President Kennedy at a White House Reception for Latin American Diplomats and Members of Congress, March 13, 1961

We meet together as firm and ancient friends, united by history and experience and by our determination to advance the values of American civilization. For this new world of ours is not merely an accident of geography. Our continents arc bound together by a common history-the endless exploration of new frontiers. Our nations are the product of a common struggle -the revolt from colonial rule. And our people share a common heritage - the quest for the dignity and the freedom of man. . . .

As a citizen of the United States let me be the first to admit that we North Americans have not always grasped the significance of this common mission, just as it is also true that many in your own countries have not fully understood the urgency of the need to lift people from poverty and ignorance and despair. But we must turn from these mistakes-from the failures and the misunderstandings of the past-to a future full of peril but bright with hope.

Throughout Latin America-a continent rich in resources and I n the spiritual and cultural achievements of its pecple-millions of men and women suffer the daily degradations of hunger and poverty. They lack decent shelter or protection from disease. Their children are deprived of the education or the jobs which arc the gateway to a better life. .

If we are to meet a problem so staggering in its dimensions, our approach must itself be equally bold, an approach consistent with the majestic concept of Operation Pan America. Therefore I have called on all the people of the hemisphere to join in a new Alliance for Progrcss - alianza para Progreso - a vast cooperative effort, unparalleled in magnitude and nobility of purpose, to satisfy the basic needs of the American people for homes, work and land, health and schools - techo, trabajo y tierra, salud y escuela.

First, I propose that the American Republics begin on a vast new 10-year plan for the Americas, a plan to transform the 1960's into an historic decade of democratic progress. . .

And if we are successful, if our effort is bold enough and determined enough, then the close of this decade will mark the beginning of a new era in the American experience. The living standards of every American family will be on the rise, basic education will be available to all, hunger will be a forgotten experience, the need for massive outside help will have passed, most nations will have entered a period of self-sustaining growth, and, although there will be still much to do, every American Republic will be the master of I . ts own revolution and its own hope and progress.

Let me stress that only the most determined efforts of the American nations themselves can bring success to this effort. They, and they alone, can mobilize their resources, enlist the energies of their people, and modify their social patterns so that all, and not just a privileged few, share in the fruits of growth. If this effort is made, then outside assistance will give a vital impetus to progress; without it, no amount of help will advance the welfare of the people. . . .

Secondly, I will shortly request a ministerial meeting of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council, a meeting at which we can begin the massive planning effort which will be at the heart of the Alliance for Progress.

For if our alliance is to succeed, each Latin nation must formulate long-range plans for its own development-plans which establish targets and priorities, insure monetary stability, establish the machinery for vital social change, stimulate private activity and initiative, and provide for a maximum national effort. . . .

Third, I have this evening signed a request to the Congress for $500 million as a first step in fulfilling the Act of Bogota. . . . The money will be used to combat illiteracy, improve the productivity and use of their land, wipe out disease, attack archaic tax and land-tenure structures, provide educational opportunities, and offer a broad range of projects designed to make the benefits of increasing abundance available to all. We will begin to commit these funds as soon as they are appropriated.

Fourth, we must support all economic integration which is a genuine step toward larger markets and greater competitive opportunity. The fragmentation of Latin American economies is a serious barrier to industrial growth. . . .

Fifth, the United States is ready to cooperate in serious, case-by-case examinations of commodity market problems. Frequent violent changes in commodity prices seriously injure the economies of many Latin American countries, draining their resources and stultifying their growth. Together we must find practical methods of bringing an end to this pattern.

Sixth, we will immediately step up our food - for-peace emergency program, help to establish food reserves in areas of recurrent drought, and help provide school lunches for children and offer feed grains for use in rural development. For hungry men and women cannot wait for economic discussions or diplomatic meetings; their need is urgent, and their hunger rests heavily on the conscience of their fellow men.

Seventh, all the people of the hemisphere must be allowed to share in the expanding wonders of science-wonders which have captured man's imagination, challenged the powers of his mind, and given him the tools for rapid progress. I invite Latin American scientists to work with us in new projects in fields such as medicine and -agriculture, physics and astronomy and desalinization, and to help plan for regional research laboratories in these and other fields, and to strengthen cooperation between American universities and laboratories. . . .

Eighth, we must rapidly expand the training of those needed to man the economies of rapidly developing countries. This means expanded technical training programs, for which the Peace Corps, for example, will be available where needed. It also means assistance to Latin American universities, graduate schools, and research institutes.

We welcome proposals in Central America for intimate cooperation in higher education, cooperation which can achieve a regional effort of increased effectiveness and excellence. We are ready to help fill the gap in trained manpower, realizing that our ultimate goal inust be a basic education for all who wish to learn.

Ninth, we reaffirm our pledge to come to the defense of any American nation whose independence is endangered. As confidence in the collective security system of the OAS [Organization of American States] spreads, it will be possible to devote to constructive use a major share of those resources now spent on the instruments of war. Even now, as the Government of Chile has said, the time has come to take the first steps toward sensible limitations of arms. And the new generation of military leaders has shown an increasing awareness that armies can not only defend their countries-they can, as we have learned through our own Corps of Engineers, help to build them.

Tenth, we invite our friends in Latin America to contribute to the enrichment of life and culture in the United States. We need teachers of your literature and history and tradition, opportunities for our young people to study in your universities, access to your music, your art, and the thought of your great philosophers. For we know we have much to learn.

In this way you can help bring a fuller spiritual and intellectual life to the people of the United States and contribute to understanding and mutual respect among the nations of the hemisphere.

With steps such as these we propose to complete the revolution of the Americas, to build a hemisphere where all men can hope for a suitable standard of living and all can live out their lives in dignity and in freedom.

To achieve this goal political freedom must accompany material progress. Our Alliance for Progress is an alliance of free governments-and it must work to eliminate tyranny from a hemisphere in which it has no rightful place. Therefore let us express our special friendship to the people of Cuba and the Dominican Republic-and the hope they will soon rejoin the society of free men, uniting with us in our common effort.

This political freedom must be accompanied by social change. For unless necessary social reforms, including land and tax reform, are freely made, unless we broaden the opportunity of all of our people, unless the great mass of Americans share in increasing prosperity, then our alliance, our revolution, our dream, and our freedom will fail. But we call for social change by free men-change in the spirit of Washington and Jefferson, of Bolivar and San Martin and Marti-not change which seeks to impose on men tyrannies which we cast out a century and a half ago. Our motto is what it has always been-progress yes, tyranny no - Progreso si, tirania no!

But our greatest challenge comes from within-the task of creating an American civilization where spiritual and cultural values are strengthened by an ever-broadening base of material advance, where, within the rich diversity of its own traditions, each nation is free to follow its own path toward progress.

The completion of our task will, of course, require the efforts of all the governments of our hemisphere. But the efforts of governments alone will never be enough. In the end the people must choose and the people must help themselves.

And so I say to the men and women of the Americas - to the I [peasant] in the fields, to the obrero [worker] in the cities, to the estudiante in the schools - prepare your mind and heart for the task ahead, call forth your strength, and let each devote his energies to the betterment of all so that your children and our children in this hemisphere can find an ever richer and a freer life.

Let us once again transform the American Continent into a vast crucible of revolutionary ideas and efforts, a tribute to the power of the creative energies of free men and women, an example to all the world that liberty and progress walk hand in hand. Let us once again awaken our American revolution until it guides the struggles of people everywhere-not with an imperialism of force or fear but the rule of courage and freedom and hope for the future of man.

Posted by: President Kennedy | March 10, 2007 12:20 PM

To the World
Try not to think all Americans think as Bush. We are as apalled as you are at his stupidity and Americas current directions.
Keep up the protests!

Posted by: Dissatisatified American | March 10, 2007 12:29 PM

Are you all blind to the hatred that you reproduce over and over again in your posts? The "My dog is bigger than your dog" attitude is the resentment that so-called "first" and "third" world countries critique when faced with the attitudes of Americans (perhaps we need to go back to first grade and re-read the story once again). I don't approve of Bush nor do I approve of Chavez. Both (though on opposite poles) are too concerned with international power and less concerned with the domestic. I don't approve of Argentinians or Brazilians shouting "Gringo go home" either. I know that racism occurs in the U.S. against Latinos but that doesn't make a reversal of those sentiments appropriate either. As far as U.S. intervention in Latin America is concerned--its not a pretty picture but blood also stains the hands of Latin American leaders as well. The problem of "foreign aid" is that it usually comes in the form of weapons and is often directly linked to corperate interests: see Guatemala's civil war, (the so called "Banana Republic" Nicaragua, our funding of Pinochet and the ousting of democratically elected Salvodor Allende, Panama, and currently Colombia for an example of this. Latin Americans and U.S. citizens need to stop lashing out at each other before we can rid ourselves of the continous cycles of blood that flow through the rivers of this land that ultimately connects us all.

--(a Ph.D. canidate in Latin American and U.S. lit. and cultural studies)

Posted by: Becky | March 10, 2007 12:30 PM

Bush from the beginning disenfranchised the super wealthy and the trial lawyers from steering US policy. The have endeavored for 6 years to get him and he clearly has given them many opportunties with his views of an idealistic world. The people both within and outside the US that vent their frustration against this single man are those that refuse to acknowledge any responsibility for their own destiny. Who will they blame come January 2009?

Posted by: BJ in Bavaria | March 10, 2007 12:42 PM

Thank goodness we live in a country where opinions like the ones above can be expressed. I hope everyone of you realize that if you lived anywhere else, you would be pulled out of your house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The main problem with us is that we all have lived in such luxury all our lives we do not appreciate what we have. I think President Bush has made mistakes, but hasn't all of them. After all, they are human. The one thing Bush is doing that we all need to recognize is to protect us from a very angry and jealous world. If we want to blame anyone, perhaps it should be hollywood and the music industry for all the immorality they export via the internet and satilite to countries that have not yet been hit by the 60's and the sexual revolution. We should be ashamed, but not of our President. Muslims have wanted to rule the world since they lost the rule and if you don't believe they have been plotting to return the world to Islamic rule, you are very naive.

Posted by: AmericaninAmerica | March 10, 2007 12:47 PM

Bush is soon history. I voted for him twice and would vote for him again. My friend from Angola asked me to support Obama and I wroye him these two emails shortly after announcing his candidacy. Does hae have the stomach to deal with today's world?

#1
Dear Sir

You need only focus on two things to successfully become President:

1) Why you should be President and what you can bring to the party, NOT why the other guy shouldn't be President-no badmouthing, no negative ads etc. Remember, you will later embrace him as a partner (see below)

2) How to bridge this Dem-Rep divide, this red blue thing. There are not two Americas. My recommendation as a first step is to declare that should you win, your opponent shall be Vice President.

AVOID at all costs:
1) Negative campaigning (see above)
2) American history. American history is basically one giant wound that does not need to be reopened. It is too controversial and divisive. Especially avoid Lincoln, slavery and any other historical scenario where some group got screwed and was never recompensed for it. History is fine as an academic pursuit but your focus must be the future. Don't even quote or embrace even the good guys-they ALL had skeletons in their closets.
3) Harping on about how you opposed or are opposed to the Iraq situation. It is a fait accompli now and your pitch has to be how you are going to fix it. Don't even say it was wrong or ill advised to be in Iraq in the first place-just how you will fix it and get the most out of it. And don't be too quick to jump on the just-get-out-of-there scenario. Many a Roman emperor sowed the seeds of their downfall by giving too much to the barbarians. 55,000 guys died for nothing in Vietnam and by the time you reach office, it will probably be at least 4,000 in Iraq-make sure these guys don't die for nothing. It will require growing a set of balls and brushing up on your Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon and even giving a good think about how our World War II grandfathers would have handled things (analyze this privately of course-Hitler didn't talk about invading Poland for six months before he did it, why did Bush talk about Iraq for six months? It just gave time for the black hats and the Saddamites to squirrel away weapons).

Kerry failed because he:
a) negative campaigned.
b) waffled and "flip flopped" to whichever way the wind was blowing-YOU must make the wind blow.
c) Was not a man of the people. His houses alone would have a made a good sized Lotto jackpot. Believe me, down here at the grassroots level there is steadily rising animosity toward the increasingly dumbbell shaped American society and all authority being simply backed by deadly force, not love, respect or admiration.

DO lead and use your intellectual horsepower to make the points as concise and clear as possible, and above all be BOLD-there are no norms or taboos or traditions that cannot be overturned, most are bad anyway.

Good bye and good luck

#2
You are not listening to my advice-you are running a negative campaign:

1) You are not running against George Bush and Dick Cheney. You are not running against the Republicans. You are running against what separates you from the Oval Office. You say you want to end tit for tatting. You just tit for tatted.

2) A political campaign is no different from a job interview. Only in this case the interviewer is the American electorate. You don't say in the interview that the current boss of the company you want to join is bad. So don't do it in the campaign.

I'll advise you one more time. After that, well I don't know, lets just say I won't be optimistic any longer:

1) Iraq. I've told you what must happen in Iraq. The downside is you can't talk about this during a campaign. Not that it is politically unacceptable or politically incorrect, (there is no such thing-political correctness died in the World Trade Center as far as I'm concerned). You cannot tip off the barbarians. The plan must be executed suddenly, swiftly and decisively. It is a plan for a chief executive to carry out, not a candidate, who is the lowest form of life, to discuss and speculate on.

2) Trade, immigration, deficits, blah blah. These are all sides of the same coin. If you think the Iraq plan is radical, wait until you get a load of this:

The low cost world will not continue to underwrite and provision the high cost world's luxurious lifestyles for much longer. They have their own aspirations for luxurious lifestyles and will demand their compensation for their services. So we need to get rid of them now. Here is how we do it:

Globalisation is a chaos that is running down gradients to achieve an equilibrium that neither side will relish or enjoy. When I was a kid in the sixties, everything you bought was made in America, save for perhaps some caviar and a bottle of French wine or two. The entire world must partition itself into self contained, isolated economic blocks. They are (in general, there may be detail differences):

a. United North America (UNA), consisting of the former Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean.
b. South America (no geographic explanation necessary)
c. Subsaharan Africa
d. Eurussia (ANZ may be a satellite or remote province, it may even join UNA)
e. Indasia
f. This is the tricky one, I call it Panislamia. It would stretch from Mauretania to Indonesia and within it the Muslims can dissolve themselves in their Islam. The only flies in this ointment are post Iraq and Israel. Here is my proposition: Once Iraqi oil has significantly contributed to Energy 2.0, we don't need it anymore anyway. It could be given or sold back or it could be defended and held. I would prefer getting rid of it once it has served its usefulness. All users and participants will understand they are precompensating themselves for this eventuality. Israel will simply have to be moved. History aside, it cannot survive in its present location. I propose moving it to the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. If you have to move every stone from the holy sites, so be it.

Each block will be isolated and independent economically, legally and intellectually. If one lacks certain raw materials they will have to find substitutes or make do. Some minor limited trade between the blocs may occur, but it be strictly in kind, no currencies. If the Europeans make a car that we like, we are free to copy it for own use if we can get ahold of an original, there will be rights infringement between the blocs, only intrabloc (and this will be limited, the days of intellectual property billionaires are numbered). UNA (and the other blocs in their own self contained spheres) will make everything it consumes and consume everything it makes.

Of course it goes without saying that UNA is one giant, open federation with no internal borders. The other blocs will form more or less the same way, using UNA as the example. Will never work, you say? All civilisations and societies go through a life cycle, just like a person. You can let it evolve and age along a random path or you can design it and guide it along a path of your choosing. The are innumerable ghosts who wish there had been someone designing and guiding.

3) Energy 2.0 Call it the post oil age, whatever you want. Our whole civilisation's amazing level of achievement is based solely on cheap, abundant, portable energy in the form of combustible hydrocarbon from a fixed and finite fossil source. In short, nature's ancient prepackaged solar energy. But the giant battery is running down and the best terminals to connect to it are places populated by some of the most bloodthirsty people the world has ever known. The transition from hunter-gatherer energy to real self sustainable energy is a must and it must start now. I grant you, the oil age will be a tough act to follow. It will not be easy and it will cost trillions. But it is suprisingly simple. You have a primary source-the sun. Vast areas of the Sonoran desert will be covered with photovoltaic collectors. Direct electricity will go into the grid and to hydrogen production centers. Hydrogen will be produced to act as both superconductive coolant and portable fuel. Superconductive pipeline/conductor grids will distribute the H2 and the electrical energy bloc-wide. Each consumer will have electronics and electrochemical storage equipment to receive the day cycle infeed, replenish and be able to provide steady power around the clock. While other plans listed in this missive may seem more difficult to accomplish than this, Energy 2.0 will be in principle your biggest challenge.

4) The Moon. One of your primary objectives must be to return to the Moon and establish a permanent presence there-big time. When I was a kid, I read once in a space/astronomy book that he who controls the Moon controls the Earth. I have never forgotten that. While I don't necessarily want to control the Earth, I would like to reserve the option. Forget about any grandiosely deluded plans to go to Mars or anywhere else. Mars can wait. The money is best spent on the Moon. Once the Moon is established, Mars and elsewhere will be easier to reach anyway.

5) The Military Industrial Complex. This has gotten so far out of control due to deluded military and civilian individuals that it is no longer viable. Any weapon system is nothing more than a part of the transport of the ordinance from the factory to the enemy. Too much is spent on the transport and not on the ordinance itself. I once read that a P-47 cost $50,000 in WW2. That's $500,000 today. An F-35 has to cost at least $50 million. I could do a lot more damage with 50,000 P-47s than I could with 500 F-35s. You get the analogy. Convert supertankers into carriers. A $10 billion nuke carrier is a holdover from a deluded Cold War age. I just need to get the ammo into the heart of the enemy, not satisfy the fantasies of a bunch of overweight pork barrelers. The need for a world policing military will diminish when UNA and the world blocs come into being.

6) Health Care. The only person that can truly fix a problem with health is the person himself. Do not squander monies that will be needed to build a better world on any "national health care system" This will lead to further bloat and most national systems in other countries have failed anyway. This must be handled at levels closest to the individual. I favor an investment system rather than an insurance system. Why should I pay for you when I'm in shape, I'm lean, fit and pursuing betterment of my intellectual self and you are fat, a smoker, an overeater, waste time watching Desperate Housewives and probably couldn't even run 50 meters without collapsing. Case in point, here in Switzerland I pay about $600 a month for "insurance" for my family of three. I have been married nine years. That is $65,000 down a rathole and probably double that if it was invested modestly and prudently. I now need probably $6000 to overhaul my teeth due to decades of seeing bad dentists. The plan will only pay me 20% of that and I pay the remaining $4800 out my pocket. What kind of a deal is that? In the wished for world, I would just draw the six grand out of my $130,000 health account.
You get the point.

Hey, I don't even know if you even see these missives. Some lackey probably reads thems (if at all) and tosses. I do wish you luck.

Posted by: hawk | March 10, 2007 1:14 PM

I do look with some satisfaction to see that many more of the comments after mine are alot more thoughtful and well written out. Less hateful name slinging, though it is still present. On someone's thought of "held together by football" wherever you go in Iraq, you'll always see the goalposts. We've had a few good games lately, and the smiles are always there. Goodnight (here it is..), from Iraq. -C

Posted by: Chadley...from America | March 10, 2007 1:52 PM

PAUL AND HAWK ARE PROBABLY IN CIA OR ON CRACK. GIVE ME A BREAK ! THESE GUYS SOUND LIKE THEYÂ´VE BEEN BRAINWASHED ! SINCE HIGHSCHOOL, AND THEY WERE NOT SHOT BY A COLLEAGE OR BEST FRIEND ! THANK GOD !
HEY, DOES ANY AMERICAN KNOW WHERE BIN LADEN IS? MAYBE BUSH AND THE SECRET SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANS ARE LOOKING UP IN SOUTH AMERICA BECAUSE THEY SURELY LOST HIM IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
DID YOU PAY ALREADY YOUR MORTGAGE THIS MONTH?
I AM WRITING THIS TO TELL THE "AMERICAN IN AMERICA" THAT IF HE/SHE/IT FORGETS TO DO SO, THE BANK WILL PULL YOU OUT OF YOUR HOUSE AND YOU WILL BE HOMELESS.
GOOD LUCK CORPORATE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANS.

Posted by: BRASILEIRO | March 10, 2007 1:52 PM

To "native american indian". How is family business doing? The Masapeekua Casino is doing ok, right? Gambling, prostitution, drugs and rock and roll?
Hey pocahontas, watch out for the kemosabi Jonnhy Walker Bush, because his tribe will steal your freedom, your land, your horses, your dignity. Health insurance will keep getting more expensive with less coverage. Has Bin LadenÂ´s family invested some money in your casino?

Posted by: BRASILEIRO | March 10, 2007 2:06 PM

I would invite "Cliff" and others who are in denial over the effects of U.S. corporate and governmental actions in Latin America to read "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man". Made clear is how our government has sanctioned the greed of a few powerful individuals to the detriment of many. The result is that much of Latin America has good reason to mistrust and resent the U.S.

Posted by: dianelwell | March 10, 2007 2:09 PM

As an American I wish the relations of the people throughout the world would be unity.
Government and politics is corrupt no matter where you live.
The U.S. being the tyrant of the present time. The size of our government is out of control. Just like the level of corruption.
We Americans as a majority do not want war, or for other nations to be hurt by our government.
Those of you on here that are not Americans have to understand we have no control of our government. I truely mean it. We are lied to and taken advantage of just as much as all of you through out the world.
To all of you that are not living in the U.S...... Hold are government accountable not us hard working parents. We put our pants on one leg at a time like you, we love our kids, like you love yours.

It's not us you need to blame. It's our murdering, raping, lieing, over taxing government that we can not control.

Sorry for the typo's.

Posted by: Jeremiah Schoville | March 10, 2007 2:18 PM

In response to Brasileiro,

If I didn't pay my mortgage I would lose my house? No Kidding! If you don't pay for something it called steeling. How does it work in your country.

Posted by: Donnie | March 10, 2007 2:29 PM

This is damn near the best thread I've ever read but I didn't have time to read all the posts. I can't stand Bush and am a Democrat forever but agree with Cliff. John, too. The dude B telling people to "relax" seems unaware that he has absolutely nothing to say. But maybe I don't either! Jim Webb rules all. America first. Green economies for the future!

James B.

Posted by: James B. | March 10, 2007 2:57 PM

wonder why millions of south americans risk life and untold hardships just to sneak into the most evil country in the world.maybe its hope just to rise up to the standards of the poor in america.a standard they could never meet in s.america.
p.s. the wife and i make 32.000 a year and were considered lower class poor.help

Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2007 3:33 PM

You people may not like our president, but he is still our President and we should support him--at least by refraining from speaking bad about him! Keep your whining to yourself! I'm sure you'll find something not to like about the next president, whoever he may be. And yes, my husband did serve in Iraq, and NO, I didn't blame President Bush for his being gone, but was proud of him for doing his part in trying to protect our families (including yours!) and our country from sick people like Hussein and bin Laden! It's an honor to be an American and experience God's blessings in the past like we have. The more we take them for granted, though, the more chance we have of losing them one by one!

Posted by: me | March 10, 2007 4:03 PM

Go rape your mother and leave us alone Casey Storms

"The current anti-American sentiments are a result of the United States being much too benevolent for much too long. This has resulted in a lack of gratitude that is due us. We try to use diplomacy with the Latin Americans when the only thing they will ever understand is brute force. They need to be governed by dictators because they simply lack the basic values to govern themselves in a democratic system. If they are stupid enough to elect Chaves, then they obviously will never have the mental capacity to run thier own lives. We also have our cross to bear...after all, we elected Cinton, not once but twice!!!

Posted by: casey storms | March 10, 2007 12:03 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 4:30 PM

yes Naive is the word, has it crossed your mind anyone whose already been pulled out in the middle of the night would not be posting and so make your victorious statement absurd?

"Thank goodness we live in a country where opinions like the ones above can be expressed. I hope everyone of you realize that if you lived anywhere else, you would be pulled out of your house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again....
Muslims have wanted to rule the world since they lost the rule and if you don't believe they have been plotting to return the world to Islamic rule, you are very naive.

Posted by: AmericaninAmerica | March 10, 2007 12:47 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 4:49 PM

DID YOU PAY YOUR MORTGAGE YET??

HUH? PEANUT BUTTER SANDWISH!!!!

SCREWING YOUR SISTER IN THE TRAILER HOME???

COM'ON WAKE UP!!!

BUNCH OF RETARDES!!!

Posted by: AMERICANS ARE STUPID!! | March 10, 2007 5:59 PM

"The only sign of protest he saw during the hour-long drive in from the airport was a single Brazilian standing along the road who raised his middle finger in a gesture that translates the world over."

That's nice, Peter Baker. Your leftist newspaper's column wasn't bad enough that you had to add this statement? I'm sure the families of all the slaughtered innocent victims by Sadam Hussein in Iraq share this "gesture". And fyi, while Hussein while breaking 17 UN resolutions, he ws trucking his WMDs to Saudi Arabia and Syria. Write about that!

Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2007 6:44 PM

Candide, do you realize you just committed a felony by advocating the death of the President? You will go to prison and stay there.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2007 7:52 PM

Bravo, last poster. But good luck tracking that miscreant Candide down. God will take care of him (or rather let the Devil do a job on him/her). The liberals wanted to wait to shoot at the "insurgents"(THEY ARE TERRORISTS!) until they shot at us first, now they complain too many Americans are dying and not to send additional support! We can't win with these sennnnnnnsitive leftists! We need to airdrop pamplets (in arabic) in downtown Bagdad notifying that we will be bombing the city and they have two days to leave the city or they will be harmed. Then scatter bomb the entire city of Bagdad, be done with it and move on.
PERIOD!

Posted by: weneedpattonback | March 10, 2007 8:17 PM

you've already done that moron, it's time to make you accountable

"We can't win with these sennnnnnnsitive leftists! We need to airdrop pamplets (in arabic) in downtown Bagdad notifying that we will be bombing the city and they have two days to leave the city or they will be harmed. Then scatter bomb the entire city of Bagdad, be done with it and move on.
PERIOD!

Posted by: weneedpattonback | March 10, 2007 08:17 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 10, 2007 8:40 PM

losers

Posted by: mmm | March 11, 2007 1:28 AM

Socialism,is that where you work hard and produce and end up with the same thing as the guy who works as little as he can.wonder what guy is the socialist.

Posted by: semtex111 | March 11, 2007 11:08 AM

The only place in the world Bush is popular is right here in the U.S.

It will take a long time to repair the damage he has done to the US after he leaves.

Bush is a hypocrite, a demagogue, and a megalomaniac, among other things.
His "Wild West" approach to foreign affairs is archaic and reprehensible.

Watch the movie "Jesus Camp," and you'll see a portion of the people who support Bus. Most people who support Bush are delusional and can't face the reality: We aren't the only country in the world.

People talk about scandal in the Clinton Whitehouse -- the scandals of late in the execrable Bush Whitehouse overhadow the indescretions and scandals Clinton ever had.

Posted by: masterblaster | March 11, 2007 1:13 PM

It is terrible that the President of the United States appears to be the most hated and reviled governmental leader on earth. Even in his own country, he is mistrusted, hated, and, despised by most of the American electorate. With these facts in mind, just how did he ever think that the people of South America would have anything but hatred and antipathy for this man that I hope to live to see tried in The Hague for crimes against humanity. The Republicans warfare against the middle-class and genocide of the poor in the U.S.A. would hardly serve to endear President Bush to the peoples of South America. President Bush is North America's problem to deal with and it's cross to bear. Americans are good people so why do they have such a monster leading them?

Posted by: Jaime Garcia | March 11, 2007 1:57 PM

there were 20,000 fully armed police and military today in columbia to protect george bush on his trek from the airport to his hotel.

along the entire route, every 3 feet was an armed soldier.

lol

i thought george f. bush didn't care about public opinion? why then does our fearless warrior president care about "silly little protesters"?

aren't they just expressing public opinion?

let the cheerleading fool ride his bicycle from the airport to the hotel.

hell.. i'll even give him a free map of the route he has to take... absolutely free.

Posted by: Ron | March 11, 2007 2:01 PM

Oscar:
First of all noone is willing to listen to anyone. If you are going to write something in Portugese, then that just makes the situation worse. So if you want to say something to the world, it's better just to write it in English. Noone is going to learn portugese just to listen to what one random guy has to say.

Posted by: pinky | March 11, 2007 2:07 PM

4 more years!

Posted by: Bushisgod | March 11, 2007 3:45 PM

Well, we can't do anything about Bush...obviously some of you voted for him so we are stuck with him. I dont support him, but think that instead of sayiong how much he sucks, we should work on improving the conditions and relationships around the world and restore America's image

Posted by: anonomous | March 11, 2007 7:03 PM

In case anyone wanted to prove the decline and fall of America, reading these posts should be all one would ever need. Very scary people in Amerika, or whatever totalitarian state that idiot Bush and his morons have turned it into. It certainly isn't America anymore, and these frightening, Nazi like right wing fascists that support Bush are not Americans. While I do not think Bush should be torn limb from limb, I do think he should be impeached, charged w/ high treason, and the appropiate punishment should be immediatly delivered to him, Rice, that Gorring like Cheney. To do otherwise is unamerican and unpatriotic. These are probably the saddest days this country has ever seen.

Posted by: Steve | March 11, 2007 7:32 PM

This is hardly a good piece of reporting but it does well in illuminating the fact that there IS quite a bit of anti-U.S. sentiment in latin america. I am living in Chile right now and the only Bush supporter I've met was a man in a plaza who told me Bush was doing good things and that los judeos no fueron nada and ought to be exterminated. He also asked me for some change.

Turns out a bunch of muslims dying in one part of the world makes those silly neo-nazis happy. Makes sense I guess, but not really the reputation we want around the world.

The problem is that everyone these days places too much stock in IDEALS. We American people are simple-minded and easily seduced by big-sounding words like Freedom and Justice and Patriotism and Sodomy. Part of this comes from too much time watching television. So anyway politicians dupe us with these wonderful words and so we elect to hop over the great sea and start grinding away at another War. After all War is good business and only an imbecile will deny that.

So yes, to iron out the wrinkles in humanity's cloak of injustice. Bombs and soldiers and plenty of capital. Unfortunately capital cannot solve every problem.

The biggest problem of all: people (yes you and I and everyone) are not happy unless they have someone to hate. People will not be satisfied unless they are murdering each other. This is universally Constant across all the wonderfully diverse and interesting cultures of the world.

So looking at it this way the Great War is very important since it gives us Americans (for lack of a better term) a chance to hate and murder, and also Shiites and Sunnis a chance to hate and murder, and also nearly every other country on the planet to hate (but hopefully not murder) us. Everyone gets what they want.

Sure we had the best of intentions. Conceptually a free Iraq works well but then so does everything, CONCEPTUALLY. We just forgot about the oh-so-important constant I mentioned above. People don't want peace. It's so fundamental they don't even realize it. Imagine it,

FIGHTING A WAR TO BRING PEACE IN THE MIDDLEAST

that's basically what we're saying and doing. It's beautiful. A bit of doublespeak straight from the Orwellian teat... Ministry of Peace indeed.

The good news is that there is only one man on the entire planet who is above this flaw that has everyone lusting for violence and bloodshed all the time. That man is Ralph Nader and if you had voted for him on that fateful day long ago we wouldn't be in this pickle now. Way to go.

yes, in this civilized era you as a people will restore America's (U.S.A.) image by doing the equivalent of a political burn at the stake of the evil sorcerers. Do you fear the sorcerers to post as anonymous or might you be a sorcerer yourself?

It's nothing personal. My candid opinion is you will be rejected everywhere until you cleanse your institutions, they impregnate your leaders with the stink. This last one is unbearable.

"Well, we can't do anything about Bush...obviously some of you voted for him so we are stuck with him. I dont support him, but think that instead of sayiong how much he sucks, we should work on improving the conditions and relationships around the world and restore America's image

Posted by: anonomous | March 11, 2007 07:03 PM "

Posted by: Luis | March 11, 2007 10:44 PM

If trade agreements with the USA are so disadvantageous, then how does the USA have a trade deficit with practically every country in the world. I submit that the Americans have been taken advantage of and should go to 1 for 1 countertrade. In other words, If you sell into the American market, you have to buy goods and services of equal value from an American exporter. Trade balance for everyone. Then see how much those "nasty" old trade agreements will be missed.

Posted by: Clif | March 11, 2007 11:41 PM

Regarding Iraq. Here is the timeline. 1990-Sadam invades Kuwait. 1991-coalition led by USA kicks him out of Kuwait. 1994- 24 hours after Hans Blix is replaced as chief weapons inspector, Swiss inspectors find a nuclear bomb lab, anthrax rockets and chemical weapons. 1998-Sadam kicks out the weapons inspectors and Clinton does nothing, which is very popular throughout the world. Sadam then gases the Kurds with chemical weapons. Iraq routinely violates the "no fly" zones and thus the Truce of 1991 by firing at American and British aircraft protecting Kuwait in the south and the Kurds in the north. 2003-76 year old Hans Blix would be chosen by the UN to embarrass the Americans in 2003 as revenge for his earlier embarrassment. Joseph Wilson lies to the New York Times, saying that his "in depth" intelligence in Niger revealed that Iraq had made no effort in obtaining Yellowcake uranium. In fact and to the contrary, his written report stated that he could not make a conclusion at all, since he had never served as a spy or gathered intelligence before his wife got him this cushy consulting assignment.

As you can see from these posts, Joseph Wilson is about the best thing to happen to Al Qaeda since 9-11.

Posted by: Clif | March 11, 2007 11:50 PM

not all of us are handicapped but you must ask your sorcerers if you cannot figure it out Clif

"If trade agreements with the USA are so disadvantageous, then how does the USA have a trade deficit with practically every country in the world. I submit that the Americans have been taken advantage of and should go to 1 for 1 countertrade. In other words, If you sell into the American market, you have to buy goods and services of equal value from an American exporter. Trade balance for everyone. Then see how much those "nasty" old trade agreements will be missed.

Posted by: Clif | March 11, 2007 11:41 PM"

Posted by: Luis | March 12, 2007 12:03 AM

you are a sorcerer too Clif.What you have written is not called a timeline but a storyline.
What is you problem with Sadam Hussein anyway? he is dead plus you were his sworn friend, that make you an accomplice

"Regarding Iraq. Here is the timeline. 1990-Sadam invades Kuwait. 1991-coalition led by USA kicks him out of Kuwait. 1994- 24 hours after Hans Blix is replaced as chief weapons inspector, Swiss inspectors find a nuclear bomb lab, anthrax rockets and chemical weapons. 1998-Sadam kicks out the weapons inspectors and Clinton does nothing, which is very popular throughout the world. Sadam then gases the Kurds with chemical weapons. Iraq routinely violates the "no fly" zones and thus the Truce of 1991 by firing at American and British aircraft protecting Kuwait in the south and the Kurds in the north. 2003-76 year old Hans Blix would be chosen by the UN to embarrass the Americans in 2003 as revenge for his earlier embarrassment. Joseph Wilson lies to the New York Times, saying that his "in depth" intelligence in Niger revealed that Iraq had made no effort in obtaining Yellowcake uranium. In fact and to the contrary, his written report stated that he could not make a conclusion at all, since he had never served as a spy or gathered intelligence before his wife got him this cushy consulting assignment.

As you can see from these posts, Joseph Wilson is about the best thing to happen to Al Qaeda since 9-11.

Posted by: Clif | March 11, 2007 11:50 PM"

Posted by: Luis | March 12, 2007 12:23 AM

I have enjoyed the different views and thought I would add this. I recall very young when there was a lightning bolt of energy as I discovered the socialism process which make us all proud to be Americans was like so much we encounter as adults today. A product which is developed, manufactured and sold. A product which does not quite live up to its billing. This was the delemma that needed some type of understanding as one comes to the realization that with all our lofty values and flowery words much of what we stand for as individuals has yet to be translated in how our policies affect our neighbors in this global community. I came to conclude that far from
a compassionate nation our history told of cruel and unbelievable sadness in our political undertakings. That to a large degree that insensitivity juxaposed to our individual perspectives of faith in God and empathy for those less fortunate were incompatible in the historical perspective and what in fact guided our actions were at times behavior that did not seem to be what Americans generally stood for. This is what I came to reconcile as American schizophrenia or dualism which seemed to leave many of us curious patriotic americans baffled as to who we really were.
The first time I saw an American president vilified amidst widespread protests was in Latin America years ago and I had to understand why they did not think of us as a great and compassionate nation. Didn't we save Europe and haven't we sent food and money to poor nations? Why should they treat our president like we are the enemy. I know now and I can only encourage those of us who believe that might makes right and foreign policy by intimidation or name calling works must understand reasons why we are despised in many parts of the world. And this fact is troubling to the average american who cannot understand why this is. It goes back to a dualist position between our stated values and our applications as we deal with our interests or perceived interests in the global arena.We are at this time in our nations history more misguided by myopic mentality than at any time previous in our relative short rise to superpowerdom. While we take pride in our nations accomplishments we must also give consideration to our recent inability to generate a international respect and regard for the worlds most affluent, prosperous, innovative and advanced nation. At this very moment somewhere in a Latin American nation the frustrations of inpoverishment and our manufactured compulsions for spreading war through the honorable intensions of spreading democracy have clearly been identified as an preoccupation with intimidation through economic subjugation and the ultimate creation of what the United States referred to during the cold war days as Soviet expanionism through proxy states known as "satelites." The Soviets had a defense that was plausible in that historically, Russia had been invaded from the west so they felt that by this buffer of puppet states they could prepare in the event an attacker would once again be aggressive in its designs. The American occupation of Iraq is geo-politically of no value as a buffer so we unilaterally decided to use the tried and true rationale for war in exporting freedom and democracy to people who have been the target of cruel atrocities under the monster Saddam. Unfortunately, we have met the monster and it has now become us. All the nice visions of a stable and independent Iraq have been replaced by the most misguided foreign policy blunder in our nations history. The saddest and most unforgivable component is post 911 when we had for the first time in the history of this nation an international communion of unified sentiment for the indiscriminate innocent loss of life. We could have if not consumed by the all important Bush theme to get Saddam by way of creating a weapons of mass destruction fantasy American influence in that region of the world could have been unprecedented. It would have meant demonstrating a more objective positioning of our support for Israel, however, this must take place as a realistic understanding of the fundamental causes of recalcitrant behavior in the region anyway. The unrestrained support for Israels aggressive campaigns cannot continue to be supported by Washington if in fact peace in the region can ever be realized. One can only state by missing the boat and failing to place our military resources in Afganhistan permanently our position as a world leader faltered then was viewed with suspicion and finally has concluded that American leaders manufactured another war as a way to fuel the voracious, extravagant needs of the Military Industrial complex. If we don't have a war every ten to fifteen years we have to invent one. Iraq is the latest gem in a growing list of embarassing excurions in force feeding democracy even if you don't ask for it we give it to you. Let us hope this will be the last wild west foreign policy with the gunslinging sheriff George W. Bush. The w stands for wild and the M stands for what a mess.

Posted by: Robert | March 12, 2007 3:01 AM

No Cliff you are with that knuclehead attempt at reasoning...
Al Queda has to be laughing out of their tunnels with those moronic conclusions.
Give it a rest. You're wasting valuable space where people can actually contribute some insighful and congent understanding of international relations, political science or foreign policy. Clearly that does not include you.

Posted by: robert | March 12, 2007 3:20 AM

Keep it real by a world coordinated defusing of military stock piles. Assuming you live in the U.S.A., that implies your own would go first

"Let us hope this will be the last wild west foreign policy with the gunslinging sheriff George W. Bush. The w stands for wild and the M stands for what a mess.

Posted by: Robert | March 12, 2007 03:01 AM"

Posted by: Luis | March 12, 2007 3:39 AM

The New World Order crowd just can't allow any country to be effective on their own. They have to go get their piece of the pie and work to keep the people there from being able to move out of poverty because you can't have anyone trying to actually balance the scales. The Middle East, Africa, South America, Europe...It isn't about "compassion" it is about CONTROL. And now this military industrial complex will make sure they own all the fields that are going to be made by chopping down the rainforests to be used by big agri and corrupted governments to grow sugarcane for fuel that really doesn't reduce CO2 much, but will make more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for them while people in this world continue to starve to death. It is truly evil.

Posted by: thegameisrigged | March 12, 2007 5:44 AM

I am truly amazed at the small minds that wrote the above articles. You say you cannot include personal attacks on your site, but you can tear President Bush limb from limb? How hipicritical!!!! For the record. It is a personel belief the the left wing press has killed more U.S. soldiers due to their aiding and abieting the enemy by showing only the bad that happens in Irac and not all the tremendous good. People are killed evey day by scum in Irac for one reason and only one reason. They know it will hit our TV screens within the hour. Why because our left wing media is in a hate Bush mode and they think this will make him look bad. Little do they realized it makes ALL the US look bad (including them). It is my belief that for every bad thing that happens in Irac, a thousand good things happen. WHY DO YOU NOT PRINT THE GOOD THINGS? YOU ARE KILLING OUR YOUNG MEN OVER THERE. FOCUS ON THE GOOD THEY ARE DOING. ENCOURAGE THEIR WORK. DISCOURAGE THE SCUM BY NOT SHOWING THEIR DIRT. THEY WILL STOP THEIR DIRT IF THEY KNOW IT WILL NOT BE AIRED ON TV. SMARTEN UP MEDIA. By the way. I thought our way of government was for all to work together for the good of the country. Congress, all of you, remind me of a school ground or two year olds fighting over the best toy. GROW UP AND START ACTING RESPONSIBLE ALL OF YOU.

Posted by: yoursmallminds | March 12, 2007 6:09 AM

Mr.ex Military Man (Matt) Also for Cliff,

both of you are well versed and knowledgeable in your practices of Experiences.

Both sides of the debate are realistic and bonding. I prefer the strength of words in both, honesty and in wealth of Intellect. Courage is not lost. What is truly noticable is Pride.

WE may all be frustrated with the current events and situation. We cling to morals that have been bredded into us. We are still a strong Country but no longer United.
Our behaviour and actions are all valued only on a President at this time. But anyone one needing help always searches for the big GUY.

Its a Pity Reagan isn't alive. He knew how to say the words strongly. Proud to be an American- God Bless etc. But its gone. Not just from Iraq, but from all the World's Issues.

Its a Pity, easy to blame one President for the Down Fall. But it has been happening for Years. If the blinders were taken off.

The Balkans Theater, for Europe was an embarrasement. It was with our help Support and our Strength which now helps that area to rebuild and construct.

It was maybe with miscaluation this type of effort that helped in the Balkans could be used in the Middle East.
The conflict continues.

Everyone that has suffered from Lack of funds to maintain the standard of living conditions (Regardless of WHERE in the World) feel bullied by those of better Wealth. It's in our own Country as well as World Wide.
The jealousy and the frustration of dreams no longer being achieved, hunger, homeless, Arbeitlos, is the factor of HATE.

I onced believed in the Chance to help and improve life conditions for every Country willing to co-opperate with us. Not just take a Handout. But as with the American spirit, the bonding, the pride its now LOST!

Although I have seen the suffering in my Travels --Children, to the elderly they are the ones that ALWAYS pay the highest price.

Where the conditions of our Life styles are now in Jepordy, its a Landslide. Every Country Hop on.. we will all be tumbling down.

I won't say I am English, nor Canadian, I will say AMERICAN, it is maybe not a welcoming comment but then I do have pride in the country I was born in. I respect each Countries Custom and bow to their sensibilities when I travel. Just wish it was the same for those Entering- traveling in the USA. Courtesy has be a Lost subject in the last 30 YEARS.

I Wish the World Luck. Cause we ALL NEED IT

Posted by: Patriot Lost | March 12, 2007 6:10 AM

im tired of the evil america spending billions of dollars every year just to try to better the lives of millions of people in the world.so send george bush and america a lesson and refuse the money or keep biting the hand that feeds you.

Posted by: semtex111 | March 12, 2007 6:44 AM

Bush is an incredible creature. Some mention Clinton. Hey, Clinton screwed an intern, Bush has screwed the world. He has (and continues) murdered, invaded a nation, and lied and deceived Americans and the world. I am ashamed to be an American. The military is not fighting for my country, but for a psychopath and his cronies. Remember, "One should always be loyal to your country, and loyal to your leaders only when they deserve it" Bush, et. al. do not deserve it!

Posted by: A patriot | March 12, 2007 7:02 AM

Its embarresing to be an american, with the people of the world laughing at us.

Posted by: notproud | March 12, 2007 7:05 AM

I have been educated in a system that advocates free trade and who believes in the need to maintain a open relationship with the world but think it is time for a change. Build a fence around the US,increase our national security, and begin a policy of isolation. Let the rest of world go to Hell.

Posted by: David | March 12, 2007 8:05 AM

"If 90% of the idiots that posted on here had at least a high school education and had traveled somewhere other than Kentucky in their lives, this would be a half-way intelligent conversation. To the other 10% thank you for making legitimate remarks."
Posted by Milldog

The sentiment of arrogance, egotism and prejudiced expressed in just these few sentences ARE THE REASON that the United States is no longer respected as a nation.

Posted by: MKRB2 | March 12, 2007 8:42 AM

Certainly you don't mean like Bush???

"Congress, all of you, remind me of a school ground or two year olds fighting over the best toy. GROW UP AND START ACTING RESPONSIBLE ALL OF YOU.

"im tired of the evil america spending billions of dollars every year just to try to better the lives of millions of people in the world.so send george bush and america a lesson and refuse the money or keep biting the hand that feeds you.

Posted by: semtex111 | March 12, 2007 06:44 AM"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You'll get used to it. It's official, you now have a third world leader in the presidential seat. Don't take it personal, he's got the excuse of doing his best with a two inches of depth vision

"Its embarresing to be an american, with the people of the world laughing at us.

Posted by: notproud | March 12, 2007 07:05 AM"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bush didn't come from outside the good old U.S. of A. ((not that old but among the youngest of American countries), he was brewed in your front porch, not the backyard.

"I have been educated in a system that advocates free trade and who believes in the need to maintain a open relationship with the world but think it is time for a change. Build a fence around the US,increase our national security, and begin a policy of isolation. Let the rest of world go to Hell.

Posted by: David | March 12, 2007 08:05 AM"

Posted by: Luis | March 13, 2007 12:05 AM

surely you don't mean like Bush, do you??

"Congress, all of you, remind me of a school ground or two year olds fighting over the best toy. GROW UP AND START ACTING RESPONSIBLE ALL OF YOU.

Posted by: yoursmallminds | March 12, 2007 06:09 AM"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
please keep all of your money, it's not worth the paper it's printed on. That includes the paper holding signatures of leaders you have subversively bought.

Colombia, Washington's closes ally in S.America has received more than US$4 billion in mostly military and antinarcotics funds since 2000. REUTERS.

No feeding here, just guns and ammo. You are / keep doing good business with our blood.

"im tired of the evil america spending billions of dollars every year just to try to better the lives of millions of people in the world.so send george bush and america a lesson and refuse the money or keep biting the hand that feeds you.

Posted by: semtex111 | March 12, 2007 06:44 AM"
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you might get used to it. It's official, you now have a tried and tested third world gorilla leader in the presidential seat.

"Its embarresing to be an american, with the people of the world laughing at us.

"I have been educated in a system that advocates free trade and who believes in the need to maintain a open relationship with the world but think it is time for a change. Build a fence around the US,increase our national security, and begin a policy of isolation. Let the rest of world go to Hell.

Posted by: David | March 12, 2007 08:05 AM"

Posted by: Luis | March 13, 2007 12:48 AM

yes we send guns and ammo but who are the dumb s.o.b.s that decide to pick them up and kill each other.great south american pastime.long live the this weeks revolution or next weeks,ect.ect..............

Posted by: semtex111 | March 13, 2007 11:39 AM

why did you bother arguing "america spending billions of dollars every year just to try to better the lives of millions of people in the world" and then contradict yourself by admitting guilt of aiding in genocide?

A word of warning, If you deal with or fabricate dumb s.o.b.s. you will in time turn into one that is, if you haven't reached your target yet.

"yes we send guns and ammo but who are the dumb s.o.b.s that decide to pick them up and kill each other.great south american pastime.long live the this weeks revolution or next weeks,ect.ect..............

Posted by: semtex111 | March 13, 2007 11:39 AM"

Posted by: Luis | March 14, 2007 12:21 AM

either there is a computer problem or there is a huge delay in postings

why did you bother arguing "america spending billions of dollars every year just to try to better the lives of millions of people in the world" and then contradict yourself by admitting guilt of being an instrument to genocide?

A word of caution, If you deal with or fabricate dumb s.o.b.s. you will in time turn into one that is, if you haven't reached your target already. Who am I to judge your motives? While people may not forgive, God may forgive you by having confessed of this most putrid behavior.

Can you give us your name and rank?

"yes we send guns and ammo but who are the dumb s.o.b.s that decide to pick them up and kill each other.great south american pastime.long live the this weeks revolution or next weeks,ect.ect..............

Posted by: semtex111 | March 13, 2007 11:39 AM"

Posted by: Luis | March 14, 2007 3:11 AM

americans are capitalist (Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual (human) rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned)so we will sell you either guns or butter.the choice is free to make, bet its guns.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 14, 2007 2:56 PM

I'm sorry to be the one opening your eyes but for as much as you and your emissary of death want the love of the world, you are going the wrong way about it.

You could be a happy and gay capitalist but it does not change the fact you have aided in genocide. You no longer can hide your mark of the beast behind the excuse of capitalism nor by excluding your aliases in these posts Luzbel/Yetzel/Belcebu/Satan.

"americans are capitalist (Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual (human) rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned)so we will sell you either guns or butter.the choice is free to make, bet its guns.

Posted by: | March 14, 2007 02:56 PM"

Posted by: Luis | March 14, 2007 10:26 PM

it does not change the facts you have and continue to foster genocide through the host country you mass produce weapons of mass destruction Luzbel/Yetzel/Belcebu/Satan. You and your emissary of death can no longer disguise yourseves as benevolent through the merits to be of capitalism, your mark of the beast is clear

"americans are capitalist (Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual (human) rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned)so we will sell you either guns or butter.the choice is free to make, bet its guns.

Posted by: | March 14, 2007 02:56 PM"

Posted by: Luis | March 15, 2007 6:30 PM

Capitalism is an economic system that doesn't have so much to do with with individual rights as it does have to do with the concept of a "free market-place". The United States is more apty refered to as a "mixed economy" as our Govt. has its' hands in all aspects of our finances.

Posted by: MKRB2 | March 16, 2007 2:37 PM

I've tried this webpage from another workstation and the content is selective, don't think this helps the case for free to make choices statement